CAIRO (AP) – Hamas said Thursday it will release three Israeli hostages as planned, paving the way for a solution Major Disputes Through a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas had threatened to delay the next release of prisoners of war, criticizing Israel. It does not meet that obligation There are other ceasefire violations to allow tents and shelters. With the support of US President Donald Trump, Israel had threatened to renew its attack if the hostages were not released.
There were no immediate comments from Israel regarding Hamas’ announcement, but it should allow for the ceasefire to continue for now. The future of the truce remains doubtful.
Hamas said that the delegation will hold consultations in Cairo with Egyptian officials, contact Qatar’s prime minister and take them to more shelters, medical supplies, fuel and heavy machinery to clean the tiled rubber. – Important demand these days. In a statement, the mediator said it had pledged to “remove all hurdles.”
Shortly after the announcement, Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Kanou confirmed by phone with the Associated Press that the three hostages will be released on Saturday.
Egypt’s state-run Qahera TV reported that Egypt and Qatar were successful in resolving the conflict due to its proximity to the country’s security services. The two Arab countries served as key mediators for Hamas and helped mediate a ceasefire that took effect for more than 15 months since the war in January.
Egyptian media also aired footage showing trucks carrying bulldozers to the Egyptian side of Rafa, which intersects Gaza. They reported that the truck was heading towards an Israeli testing area before it crossed to Gaza.
Trump introduced more uncertainty
The face of a ceasefire A much bigger challenge In the coming weeks. The first phase is set to end at the beginning of March, with no substantial negotiations yet in the second phase. Hamas releases dozens of hostages in exchange for the end of the war.
Trump’s proposal to remove around 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and settle in other countries It even puts further doubt on the future of the armistice. plan Welcome to Israel However, it was vehemently rejected by Palestinians and Arab countries who refused to accept the influx of refugees. Human rights groups say it could be War crimes under international law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies have already called for the resumption of war after the first phase, with the goal of implementing Trump’s plans and annihilation of Hamas. I continue to control the territory After surviving One of the most deadly and most destructive Recent history military campaigns.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants rushed into Israel, killing around 1,200 civilians and acquiring around 250. Over half It has been released in a deal with Hamas and other agreements, with eight people rescued and dozens of bodies recovered.
The POW is one of the only negotiation tips Hamas left, and if they believe that the war will resume, it may be difficult to commit to a further release to the group.
Trump gave complicated signals about what he wanted to see in Gaza.
He was credited with brokering a ceasefire. The ceasefire reached days before he took office after more than a year of negotiations under the Biden administration. But he has one too Expressed anxiety It is up to Israel to resume the war, pledging US military support for how the agreement is unfolding.
The 73 hostages have not yet been released, and about half of them are believed to be dead. Almost all of the remaining hostages are men, including Israeli soldiers.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the war killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Israel says it killed more than 17,000 militants without providing evidence.
Israel’s attack Most of Gaza has been removed. At that height, the battles had driven 90% of the territory’s population to 2.3 million. Hundreds of thousands have returned to their homes since the ceasefire took hold. Many people only found a mountain of tile rubs And the bodies of buried humans and unsolved weapons.
“New War” would be much worse
Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz, Echoing the cardsOn Wednesday, he said if Hamas stops the hostages from being released, “all hell will be released.” He said the “New War of Gaza” would not end until Hamas is defeated.
With far fewer hostages remaining in Gaza, Israeli forces have more freedom to act.
They will also have far fewer restrictions from the US, the leading military patron. The Biden administration has sometimes forced Israel to grant more aid and at some point halt the shipment of arms, whilst providing important military and diplomatic support. He also said there should not be a permanent displacement of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Trump lifts restrictions on arms transfers and his administration is pushing for sale. A weapon worth $7 billion It was approved under President Joe Biden.
Trump said Gaza’s population should resettle elsewhere in the region, and wealthy Arab countries should pay for it. He suggested that once the battle was over, Israel would transfer control of Gaza to the United States, which would redevelop it as the “Middle Eastern Riviera.”
Israeli Minister of Finance Bezarel Smotlich; Important partners Netanyahu’s fragile governing coalition calls for the resumption of war, the “voluntary immigration” of numerous Palestinians from Gaza, and the reestablishment of Jewish settlements there.
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Ridman reported from Jerusalem.
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