Netanyahu says he hopes to announce hostage launch within the ‘coming days’

[ad_1] Hugo Bachega Center East correspondent in Jerusalem and

Henri Astier

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/1ec7/live/17f63870-a160-11f0-8480-e139cd7c3f3c.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/1ec7/live/17f63870-a160-11f0-8480-e139cd7c3f3c.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1ec7/live/17f63870-a160-11f0-8480-e139cd7c3f3c.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/1ec7/live/17f63870-a160-11f0-8480-e139cd7c3f3c.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/1ec7/live/17f63870-a160-11f0-8480-e139cd7c3f3c.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/1ec7/live/17f63870-a160-11f0-8480-e139cd7c3f3c.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/1ec7/live/17f63870-a160-11f0-8480-e139cd7c3f3c.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1ec7/live/17f63870-a160-11f0-8480-e139cd7c3f3c.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Reuters Demonstrators carry flags and placards as families of hostages and their supporters protest ahead of the two-year anniversary of the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages and the end of the war in Gaza, in Jerusalem, October 4, 2025. " class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> Reuters Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mentioned he hopes to announce the discharge of hostages being held in Gaza "within the coming days".

In a televised assertion, he additionally mentioned "Hamas shall be disarmed and Gaza shall be demilitarised – both the straightforward approach or the laborious approach, however will probably be achieved."

The feedback got here after Hamas launched an announcement on Friday by which it agreed to free the hostages below a US peace plan, however didn't point out disarmament and sought negotiations on different points.

Hamas mentioned on Saturday that Israel was persevering with to commit "massacres", after strikes hit Gaza within the morning, and it urged international strain on Israel.

Oblique ceasefire talks between the events are set to start out in Egypt on Monday.

US President Donald Trump mentioned he would "not tolerate delay" from Hamas to finish a deal.

In a put up on his Fact Social platform, Trump mentioned: "Hamas should transfer shortly, or else all bets shall be off... Let's get this performed, FAST."

He later posted that Israel "has agreed to the preliminary withdrawal line", seeming to refer to numerous strains of Israeli troop withdrawal printed alongside the US plan.

The 20-point plan proposes an instantaneous finish to combating and the discharge of 20 dwelling Israeli hostages held by Hamas - in addition to the stays of these regarded as lifeless - in change for tons of of detained Gazans.

In a put up on X the Israel Protection Forces mentioned it had issued an order "to advance readiness for the implementation of the primary section of the Trump plan for the discharge of the hostages". It added that the protection of IDF troops was "a prime precedence".

Hamas was below strain to just accept a minimum of some factors of Trump's plan. And that is precisely what they've performed, with a "sure however" response. The group agreed to launch all of the remaining Israeli hostages, each dwelling and lifeless, and that Gaza can be ruled by technocrats.

However, amongst different issues, the group didn't point out whether or not it might disarm - a key Israeli demand.

In each Gaza and Israel, there was cautious optimism that the present efforts might lastly result in a deal. One of many fundamental variations now could be the non-public involvement of Trump, eager to be remembered – and rewarded – as the person who ended the conflict.

He has publicly urged Hamas to just accept a deal, threatening much more army power, and there have been indications of his rising irritation with Israel's management just lately. However it's unclear if the Trump impact shall be sufficient.

The truth is that the obstacles that prevented earlier offers basically stay the identical, together with Hamas' demand for a full Israeli withdrawal and a assure that Israel is not going to resume the conflict after the hostages are freed. The group is aware of will probably be susceptible with out the hostages and can no doubt demand sturdy assurances that that won't occur.

There are suspicions elsewhere too. Many, inside and outdoors Israel, have accused Netanyahu of sabotaging earlier efforts to delay the conflict for political functions.

He's supported by ultranationalist ministers who've threated to give up the coalition if the conflict ends with out Hamas' complete defeat. That might result in the collapse of the federal government. For now, the prime minister appears to be protected.

Domestically, nevertheless, polls have constantly prompt that the majority Israelis favour a cope with Hamas for the discharge of the hostages and the tip of the conflict. The nation stays deeply divided, exhausted by the conflict and more and more remoted internationally.

There may be big momentum for a deal, however that is no assure that one shall be reached.

Households of hostages have informed the BBC they've hope their family members shall be returned quickly.

Vicky Cohen, whose son Nimrod is amongst 20 captives held in Gaza who're nonetheless believed to be alive, mentioned she had woken on Saturday with a way of expectation, but in addition "worry that one thing will go unsuitable".

"It's a fragile state of affairs and we do not need to be dissatisfied once more. And but I really feel hope that quickly I'll see Nimrod and I can hug [him] once more," she mentioned.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/dce3/live/6bc09ce0-a131-11f0-a9f1-8d9167fcc08f.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/dce3/live/6bc09ce0-a131-11f0-a9f1-8d9167fcc08f.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/dce3/live/6bc09ce0-a131-11f0-a9f1-8d9167fcc08f.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/dce3/live/6bc09ce0-a131-11f0-a9f1-8d9167fcc08f.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/dce3/live/6bc09ce0-a131-11f0-a9f1-8d9167fcc08f.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/dce3/live/6bc09ce0-a131-11f0-a9f1-8d9167fcc08f.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/dce3/live/6bc09ce0-a131-11f0-a9f1-8d9167fcc08f.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/dce3/live/6bc09ce0-a131-11f0-a9f1-8d9167fcc08f.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="EPA Family members inspect the rubble of their former home following an air strike during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, 3 October 2025" class="sc-5340b511-0 bGQwLJ"/> EPA A lot of Gaza has been decreased to rubble over the previous two years

Reactions to the proposals amongst Palestinians in Gaza have ranged from hope to deep suspicion.

Some worry Hamas has walked right into a entice, and that Israel will reclaim its hostages solely to renew the conflict. Others imagine a historic alternative has opened to finish two years of battle.

"Do not get carried away by optimism," Gaza resident Ibrahim Fares informed the BBC. "There shall be rounds of talks over the small print. The satan is at all times within the element."

In the meantime, Israeli army strikes have continued to hit Gaza, regardless of Trump telling Israel in a message on social media on Friday to "instantly cease the bombing".

Three air strikes hit Gaza Metropolis early on Saturday, one in all which killed one individual and wounded a number of others, in response to medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital.

The Hamas-run well being ministry in Gaza mentioned 66 individuals had been killed by Israeli army operations in Gaza prior to now 24 hours, bringing the overall for the reason that conflict started to 67,074.

Worldwide journalists have been banned by Israel from coming into the Gaza Strip independently for the reason that begin of the conflict practically two years in the past, making verifying claims from either side tough.

The Israeli army launched a marketing campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, by which about 1,200 individuals had been killed and 251 others had been taken hostage.