Israel Warns Hamas: Ceasefire Hinges on Hostage Release as Mediation Efforts Intensify

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri has dismissed President Trump’s ultimatum for all hostages to be freed by Saturday, calling the warning “meaningless.” However, he affirmed Hamas’s commitment to the previously agreed negotiation framework.

Meanwhile, mediators remain hopeful about rescuing the planned sixth phase of hostage releases on Saturday. Egyptian officials have reported progress in resolving key sticking points. At the same time, Hamas has called for three days of protests in response to Trump’s proposal for relocating Gaza’s population.

Israeli defense officials stress the importance of maintaining momentum in the hostage release process. However, military leaders have presented political decision-makers with offensive strategies should negotiations break down. If combat resumes, Israeli officials indicate it would take place with fewer operational restrictions and stronger U.S. diplomatic support.

Israel Presses Hamas: Ceasefire Hinges on Saturday’s Hostage Release

Israel has reportedly conveyed to Hamas—via mediators in Egypt and Qatar—that the ceasefire agreement will remain in place if three more hostages are released on Saturday.

The message, first reported by Walla News, comes amid mixed signals from Israeli leadership. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made varying statements, at times demanding the release of “our hostages,” “nine hostages,” and “all of them” for the ceasefire to hold. Netanyahu also warned that failure to return hostages by noon Saturday would result in an end to the ceasefire, a stance backed by Israel’s security cabinet and aligned with President Trump’s demand.

A senior Israeli official told Walla that mediators are working hard to revive the deal and that, as of Wednesday, the risk of its collapse appeared lower than the day before.

According to Qatari news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Egyptian sources indicated progress in talks following a meeting in Cairo between Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad and a Hamas delegation led by deputy politburo chief Khalil al-Hayya. Mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff have reportedly resolved some outstanding disputes.

Additionally, an agreement has been reached allowing international organizations to supply fuel and medical equipment to Gaza, though Israel has yet to approve the delivery of temporary shelters such as tents and caravans. If Israel authorizes their entry on Thursday, Hamas may announce the identities of the three hostages set for release on Friday, ahead of their expected handover on Saturday.

Ongoing Challenges in the Ceasefire Agreement

Hamas recently announced a suspension of hostage releases, accusing Israel of violating the agreement by restricting aid deliveries, including limiting the entry of tents into Gaza.

During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Netanyahu reportedly stated that discussions about the second phase of the deal were premature while the fate of the first stage remained uncertain. Channel 13 quoted him as saying, “There is no point in discussing the second phase because it is just a hypothetical issue at the moment.”

Under the three-phase ceasefire deal, brokered last month, Hamas is obligated to release all hostages in exchange for Israel freeing thousands of Palestinian prisoners—including hundreds convicted of terrorism—and pausing military operations. This would be followed by negotiations for a lasting truce and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

However, the truce, which is now in its third week, has come under significant strain. Hamas’s suspension of hostage releases has raised concerns, prompting renewed diplomatic efforts to keep the agreement intact.

Separately, Israeli news outlet Channel 12 reported that during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Strock called for Israel to rearrest hundreds of Palestinian prisoners if Hamas fails to release the three hostages as scheduled. Security officials opposed the proposal, warning that such a move could jeopardize ongoing negotiations and put hostages at greater risk. The cabinet ultimately rejected the demand.