Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that if Hamas did not release the hostages on Saturday, this will be tantamount to breaking the truce, and “Israeli armed forces will resume intensive fighting.” The President of the United States Donald Trump performed a similar ultimatum.
– If Hamas does not release our hostages until noon on Saturday, it will mean breaking the suspension of weapons, and the Israeli armed forces resumed intensive fighting until the final defeat of Hamas – announced Netanyahu in a statement after the meeting of the government's security office.
Hamas still ties 73 hostages abducted during the attack on October 7, 2023, which began a war lasting over 15 months. From January 19, the first temporary phase of weapon suspension has been going on. One of the main points of the agreement is the exchange of kidnapped Palestinians embedded in Israeli prisons.
In the first phase, there were to be a total of 33 Israeli hostages, so far freedom regained 16. 17 were still waiting for the release, but it was already reported that eight people from this group were dead.
The next round of exchange between Hamas and Israel
The next round of exchange should take place on Saturday, according to the previous schedule, three Israelis will be released.
However, Hamas announced on Monday that he would not release more hostages, because Israel does not comply with other obligations recorded in the truce. Israel rejected these allegations and noted that Hamas explicitly violates the terms of the agreement.
A bus with Palestinian prisoners released by Israel came to Chan Junus. Photo from February 1PAP/EPA/HAITAM ICHAD
Netanyahu in his speech did not specify how many prisoners should be released on Saturday, so that Israel would find that the contract is still observed by Hamas.
The Times of Israel portal informed, quoting one of the officials that Israel is demanding that all nine living hostage to be released on Saturday, who were to be released during the first stage of the truce.
The daily “Jerusalem Post” and “Haarec” wrote, citing their sources, that the government expects the release of three abducted and released the remaining six in the next “days” on Saturday.
Donald Trump demands the release of hostages
Donald Trump threatened at night from Monday to Tuesdaythat if all hostages are not released by Saturday, the suspension of the weapon should be suspended, which would result in “hell unleashing”. On Tuesday, he confirmed that he was maintaining his position.
Netanyahu added that he ordered to strengthen military units in the Gaza Strip and on its outskirts.
Israel's defense forces announced on Tuesday evening that they mobilize reservists to “prepare for all scenarios.”
Source of the main photo: PAP/EPA/OHAD ZAPGIGENBERG/POOL