Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he hopes to announce the release of hostages being held in Gaza in the coming days. In a televised address, he reiterated Israel's position on the demilitarization of Hamas, declaring it would be done either the easy way or the hard way.
This statement follows a response from Hamas, which indicated it would release hostages as part of a peace plan proposed by the United States but avoided the issue of disarmament and sought negotiations on other fronts.
Hamas has accused Israel of continuing to commit massacres as strikes resume against Gaza, prompting calls for international pressure against the Israeli government. Meanwhile, indirect ceasefire talks are scheduled to begin in Egypt.
US President Donald Trump has voiced his impatience for Hamas to expedite the deal, insisting that delays will be unacceptable. He highlighted a 20-point peace plan aiming for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the return of hostages in exchange for the release of Gazans held by Israel.
Despite the glimmers of hope in negotiations, skepticism persists within both Israeli and Palestinian communities. Many Palestinians express concern that Hamas may have fallen into a trap, fearing that Israel could reclaim hostages only to resume conflict.
As military operations continue, with recent air strikes causing casualties, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Over 66,000 people have reportedly died due to Israeli attacks since the conflict escalated, with a significant portion of the population displaced and homes destroyed.
Responses to the ongoing negotiations have been varied, with some families of hostages expressing cautious optimism, while others remain fearful of the potential for further disappointments.
