Families of Israeli hostages staged a protest on a Tel Aviv highway Thursday, demanding the return of their loved ones as negotiations over the Gaza ceasefire deal continued.Hamas has reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement with Israel, stating it will proceed with the scheduled release of hostages. This announcement, following diplomatic efforts in Cairo, has raised hopes that an escalation of the conflict can be avoided.
The Palestinian faction said Egyptian and Qatari mediators had pledged to "resolve obstacles" impeding the deal's progress. Reports from both nations suggested significant breakthroughs had been made.While Israeli officials did not confirm these reports, a government spokesperson warned that if Hamas failed to release three living hostages by Saturday, the ceasefire would be terminated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated this stance, stating that Hamas must comply by noon on Saturday (10:00 GMT) or face the resumption of intense military operations. The ultimatum followed a delay in hostage releases, which Hamas attributed to Israeli violations of the agreement, including alleged failures in delivering agreed-upon humanitarian aid. Israel denied these accusations.
The dispute prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to call for Israel to abandon the ceasefire entirely if Hamas did not release all remaining hostages by the deadline. Netanyahu supported Trump’s position, emphasizing that military operations would continue until Hamas was decisively defeated.Despite the tensions, Egyptian and Qatari negotiators intensified their diplomatic efforts to preserve the ceasefire. Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader, traveled to Cairo for discussions with Egyptian intelligence officials. Following these talks, Hamas issued a statement asserting its dedication to fulfilling the agreement, particularly in terms of humanitarian aid and infrastructure support for Gaza.
Egyptian state media later reported that both Israel and Hamas had committed to upholding the ceasefire. Qatari-based Al Jazeera also claimed that mobile homes and construction equipment were set to enter Gaza. However, Israeli officials swiftly dismissed these claims as false, asserting that no such arrangements had been made.During a press briefing, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer emphasized that the ceasefire deal required Hamas to release three hostages by Saturday. "If those three are not returned, the ceasefire will end," he said.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Since the ceasefire began on January 19, hundreds of aid trucks have entered the territory daily. However, many Palestinians remain apprehensive about a potential return to hostilities.Mouti al-Qedra, a resident of Gaza, described the uncertainty in an interview with BBC Arabic. "When the truce was announced, we felt immense relief," he said. "But as new tensions arise, fear returns, and prices of basic goods rise again. I pray for lasting peace after losing 65 family members."
Under the current ceasefire framework, 33 Israeli hostages are to be exchanged for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Since January 19, 16 living Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals have been freed. The remaining 17 hostages set for release in the first phase include children, women, and elderly men. Both sides acknowledge that at least eight of these captives are deceased.
The ceasefire agreement has also led to Israeli forces withdrawing from heavily populated parts of Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return northward and increasing humanitarian aid deliveries. However, negotiations for the second phase—potentially leading to the release of all remaining hostages, a full Israeli military withdrawal, and a permanent ceasefire—have yet to commence.
The conflict began after Hamas launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas.According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, the ongoing war has resulted in over 48,230 deaths, widespread displacement, and the collapse of essential services, including healthcare, sanitation, and access to food and water.