Gaza ceasefire plan in works, hostages could be freed within days
Global News
Netanyahu says Hamas agreed to release hostages due to military pressure as a U.S.-led plan aims to end the Gaza war and free captives within days.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes Hamas is ready for a “lasting peace” and has demanded Israel to stop bombing Gaza, but warned that “all bets will be off” if Hamas doesn’t move quickly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he hopes to announce the release of all hostages “in the coming days,” and released a short video statement early Saturday.
The proposed agreement, which would immediately halt hostilities and initiate a wide-ranging prisoner and hostage exchange, is set to be discussed in indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt on Monday.
“Hamas was forced to agree to our plan,” Netanyahu said in his statement. “At the first stage, Hamas will release all of our hostages. The (Israel Defense Forces) IDF will continue to hold control of all the territories in the depths of Gaza, in a way that ensures we maintain control deep within Gaza.”
He also revealed that a recent operation in Gaza was ordered to pressure Hamas leadership directly.
“In order to return 48 of our wounded soldiers, I ordered the IDF a few weeks ago to enter the most important base of Hamas; the city of Gaza,” Netanyahu said.
While details of the full plan remain under negotiation, a general framework is emerging.
All hostilities would immediately end. Within 72 hours, Hamas would release all hostages it holds, living or dead. The militants still have 48 hostages. Israel believes 20 of them are alive.
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