Hamas has reiterated its commitment to implementing the Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel, stating that it will continue releasing Israeli hostages as scheduled. The announcement follows intensive mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar, aiming to prevent a resumption of hostilities between the two sides.
After high-level discussions in Cairo, Hamas stated that Egyptian and Qatari mediators had assured them they would work to “remove obstacles” hindering the implementation of the agreement. However, Israel has not yet publicly responded to these developments. Reports from Egyptian and Qatari sources suggest that both parties remain engaged in the ceasefire process and have made progress in addressing outstanding differences.
The fragile truce now hinges on whether Hamas follows through with its promise to release additional hostages. On Tuesday, Israel issued a stark warning that the ceasefire would end if hostages were not freed by Saturday. Hamas had previously delayed releases, alleging that Israel had violated terms of the agreement by failing to permit the entry of essential humanitarian aid, including tents and shelters. Israel has denied these claims.
The situation escalated further when former U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israel to abandon the ceasefire if all remaining hostages were not returned by the weekend, declaring that Israel should “let hell break out” unless Hamas complied. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Trump’s sentiment, stating, “If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon [10:00 GMT], the ceasefire will end and the [Israeli military] will resume intense fighting.”
Despite Netanyahu’s firm stance, there is ambiguity within the Israeli government regarding the extent of the demand. Some Israeli officials have suggested that the ultimatum applies to all 76 hostages still in Gaza, aligning with Trump’s position. Others indicated that Netanyahu may only be insisting on the release of the three hostages scheduled to be freed under the current deal.
As tensions mount, the role of Egypt and Qatar as intermediaries has become increasingly crucial. Their diplomatic efforts have so far prevented a total collapse of the ceasefire, but the coming days will be pivotal in determining whether hostilities reignite. The international community continues to watch closely, as the possibility of renewed conflict remains high should the negotiations fail.
