Netanyahu Aims for Full Hostage Release from Gaza Within Days

UPDATE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to potentially release all hostages from Gaza “in the coming days.” This development comes as Israel and Hamas are set to engage in indirect talks in Egypt on Monday, focusing on a new U.S. plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

In a statement late Saturday, Netanyahu revealed he has dispatched a delegation to Egypt to finalize essential technical details. He emphasized that the goal is to limit negotiations to a brief timeframe. However, he made it clear that a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza is off the table, contrary to Hamas’s demands. Netanyahu stated, “Our military will continue to hold territories in Gaza, and Hamas will be disarmed either diplomatically or through military means by us.”

This announcement follows Hamas’s acceptance of certain elements of the U.S. plan. Former President Donald Trump welcomed this but warned that “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off.” He has also called for an end to Israeli airstrikes, as reports indicate a notable reduction in attacks, although at least 22 people were killed in strikes on Saturday, including women and children.

The Israeli military confirmed it has shifted to a defensive posture in Gaza but remains prepared to act if negotiations falter. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that significant strikes continue against Hamas targets, with casualties reported in the Tuffah neighborhood, where at least 17 people died.

As the war approaches its second anniversary, the U.S. plan aims to facilitate the release of the remaining 48 hostages, with around 20 believed to be alive. In exchange, Israel would halt its offensive, withdraw from significant portions of Gaza, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and allow humanitarian aid to flow in.

Monday’s discussions will also cover maps detailing the anticipated withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas. The U.S. envoy, Steve Witkoff, is slated to lead the negotiations, with attempts to unify the Palestinian stance on Gaza’s future. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad has expressed acceptance of Hamas’s response, indicating a shift in their earlier rejection of the plan.

Despite this progress, uncertainty remains. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli general, noted that while Israel can afford to pause its fire for hostages’ release, it will resume attacks if Hamas remains armed. Critics suggest that while Hamas appears willing to negotiate, its core demands remain unchanged and merely repackaged.

On the ground, the situation is dire. Many Palestinians express skepticism about the talks, with calls for immediate action. “We want practical implementation. We want a truce on the ground,” said Sameer Qudeeh from Khan Younis.

In southern Gaza, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported receiving 10 bodies and over 70 injured from Saturday’s strikes. The Palestinian Health Ministry indicates that the war’s death toll has surpassed 67,000, with women and children comprising about half of the casualties.

As tensions escalate, protests are erupting across Europe, demanding an end to the conflict. A group representing some hostages’ families expressed cautious optimism, stating the chance of seeing loved ones return “has never been closer.” They urged Trump to continue advocating for the hostages’ release and warned of potential extremist disruptions to the plan.

As the situation develops, all eyes are on Egypt as the mediator for these crucial negotiations, with the international community holding its breath for a resolution that could reshape the future of Gaza.