A series of conflicting statements regarding the continuation of a deal to release hostages held by Hamas have surfaced following a cabinet meeting in Israel on Tuesday. The issue has sparked political confusion and raised tensions ahead of the planned release of hostages on Shabbat.
In a recent statement, a political source revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli cabinet are committed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to have all hostages released by Shabbat. This message directly contradicts earlier statements from an Israeli official, who indicated that the Israeli government is prepared to move forward with Phase 1 of the agreement if three hostages are freed on Shabbat, by the original terms with Hamas.
Netanyahu, in an official remark shortly after the political source’s statement, warned that if Hamas does not return the hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire would end and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would resume intensive fighting against the militant group until Hamas is "finally defeated." However, Netanyahu did not clarify how many hostages Israel expects to be released on Shabbat, leaving room for speculation about the scope of the government’s demands.
Discrepancies in Cabinet Stance Spark Confusion
Adding to the confusion, a political source later clarified that the Israeli cabinet had committed to supporting Trump’s demands to release all hostages by Shabbat, but did not specify what would happen if that demand was unmet. The source also indicated that the government backed "Trump's revolutionary vision for the future of Gaza," suggesting a degree of alignment with the U.S. president's long-term plans for the region.
Despite these calls for an all-or-nothing approach, another Israeli official stated that the government expects the nine surviving hostages to be released in the coming days, although no specific timeline was provided. The official further claimed that Hamas had violated terms of the agreement, though the nature of the violation remained unspecified. This statement also emphasized that there would be no progress in the negotiations for Phase 2 without the return of the hostages.
Political Pressure Builds
The apparent disconnect in Israel's public messages reflects internal divisions within the government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has urged Netanyahu to issue a stark ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the release of all hostages by Saturday or face a complete occupation of Gaza. Smotrich warned that Israel should cut off all resources to Gaza, including electricity, water, fuel, and humanitarian aid, in line with U.S. President Trump’s broader vision for the region.
Families Call for Urgent Action to Save Hostages
The Families' Headquarters for the Return of the Abductees has issued an urgent plea for the Israeli government to ensure the full release of all hostages, citing the increasing urgency of the situation. The organization warned that time is running out for the hostages, stressing the need to finalize negotiations quickly to avoid further loss of life.
Trump Weighs In, Suggests Ceasefire Could End
In a dramatic statement at the White House, President Donald Trump urged Israel to cancel the ceasefire if all hostages are not released by Saturday at noon. Trump emphasized that he was not interested in a "trickle" of hostages being freed but wanted all of them to be released at once. He also speculated that many hostages may have already perished, suggesting that Hamas is unlikely to meet the demand. Trump also hinted at discussing the matter further with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Hamas Delays Planned Release of Hostages
Amid this growing pressure, Hamas announced that the planned release of hostages scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed, citing Israel’s failure to meet certain conditions outlined in the agreement. A spokesperson for Hamas claimed that the release would only proceed if Israel fulfills its obligations. The group stated that the hostage release could be back on track if Israel meets the necessary terms.
As the clock ticks down toward Saturday, the situation remains tense, with conflicting statements from all sides adding to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the hostage deal.
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