Netanyahu Hopes to Announce Gaza Hostage Release “In the Coming Days” Amid US-Led Peace Push
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he hopes to announce the release of hostages being held in Gaza “in the coming days,” raising hopes for a potential breakthrough in one of the most devastating conflicts in recent memory.
In a televised address, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to fully demilitarizing Gaza, saying, “Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarized — either the easy way or the hard way, but it will be achieved.”
The remarks came shortly after Hamas issued a statement agreeing to free Israeli hostages under a new US-backed peace proposal, though the group notably avoided any mention of disarmament. Instead, Hamas called for further negotiations on broader issues related to the region’s future governance and security.
The developments mark one of the most significant moments in the ongoing efforts to broker peace between Israel and Hamas since the war began nearly two years ago.
Hamas Agrees to Hostage Release Under US Peace Plan
According to the statement released on Friday, Hamas agreed to release both living hostages and the remains of deceased captives as part of a 20-point peace plan designed by the United States. However, Hamas also accused Israel of continuing “massacres” following new airstrikes on Gaza early Saturday, calling on the international community to pressure Israel to halt military operations.
The US plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of others believed to have died, and the exchange of hundreds of detained Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons.
Indirect ceasefire negotiations are set to begin in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday, with officials expressing cautious optimism.
Trump Warns Hamas: “Move Quickly or All Bets Are Off”
US President Donald Trump has taken a direct and personal role in pushing both sides toward a resolution. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned, “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off… Let’s get this done, FAST.”
He later stated that Israel had agreed to an “initial withdrawal line”, referring to phased troop withdrawals laid out in the US peace proposal.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a post on X that it had received orders to “advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan for the release of hostages.” The statement added that ensuring troop safety remains Israel’s “top priority.”
Mixed Response to the Peace Efforts
While Hamas’ acceptance of the plan marks a shift, questions remain about whether the agreement will hold. Hamas has accepted key components of the proposal — including hostages’ release and a technocratic government in Gaza — but has not agreed to disarm, one of Israel’s main conditions.
In both Israel and Gaza, the reaction has been cautious. Many hope this could mark the beginning of the end of a devastating war, while others fear that both sides remain too far apart on fundamental issues.
Observers say Trump’s direct involvement could add pressure for progress, but major obstacles persist. Hamas continues to demand a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a guarantee that Israel will not resume fighting after the hostages are freed — a sticking point that has derailed earlier peace efforts.
Political Pressure Mounts on Netanyahu
Netanyahu is also facing intense domestic pressure. Some Israelis accuse him of deliberately dragging out the conflict for political survival. Ultra-nationalist members of his coalition have threatened to resign if the war ends before Hamas is completely defeated — a move that could collapse the government.
However, polls show that most Israelis support a deal to secure the release of the hostages and end the war, reflecting growing exhaustion after nearly two years of violence and deepening international isolation.
For now, Netanyahu’s government remains intact, but public frustration continues to rise.
Hostage Families Hold On to Hope
Among those watching closely are the families of Israeli hostages, many of whom have endured nearly two years of anguish.
Vicky Cohen, whose son Nimrod is believed to be one of 20 captives still alive in Gaza, told the BBC she felt a mix of hope and fear as the talks progress.
“It’s a fragile situation,” she said. “We don’t want to be disappointed again, but I feel hopeful that soon I’ll be able to see and hug my son.”
Gaza Residents React with Fear and Caution
Across Gaza, where much of the region lies in ruins, the proposed deal has sparked both hope and suspicion.
Some residents worry that Hamas might release the hostages only for Israel to resume its military campaign, while others see a chance to finally end years of destruction.
“Don’t get carried away by optimism,” said Ibrahim Fares, a Gaza resident. “There will be rounds of talks over the details — and the devil is always in the detail.”
Ongoing Violence Despite Peace Push
Despite peace efforts, Israeli airstrikes continued on Saturday morning, with three strikes hitting Gaza City. One strike reportedly killed a civilian and injured several others, according to medical staff at al-Shifa Hospital.
The Hamas-run health ministry claimed that 66 people were killed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll in Gaza since the war began to more than 67,000.
International journalists remain banned from independently entering Gaza, making verification of claims from both sides difficult.
A Long Road to Peace
The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas.
Nearly two years later, most of Gaza’s population has been displaced, and over 90% of homes are damaged or destroyed.
While a new peace framework offers a glimmer of hope, the road to lasting stability remains long and uncertain. Both sides face deep mistrust, and the global community watches closely — wondering if this time, peace can finally prevail.