Breakthrough on hostage release as Hamas announces commitment to resume deal

Several days after the Hamas terror group announced that it was postponing the next hostage release indefinitely over unspecified ceasefire violations by Israel, reports in Arab and Israeli media indicate a resolution of the problem could be imminent. 

The Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar reported on Thursday morning that talks in Cairo between Hamas delegates and Egyptian intelligence officials “were positive,” while Qatari-owned Al-Araby Al Jadeed (The New Arab) cited Egyptian sources who claimed that “things (are) headed toward a breakthrough.” 

A social media channel associated with Hamas announced on Thursday morning that “All humanitarian aid is entering the Gaza Strip, including the northern Gaza Strip,” indicating that part of the breakdown may have been related to humanitarian aid entry. 

At the same time, a report in Walla said that Israel conveyed a message to Hamas on Wednesday saying that if the terror group releases the three hostages scheduled for release on Saturday, Israel would consider the agreement as still active and would continue to implement its side of the agreement. 

A senior official told Walla the danger of the deal collapsing had decreased slightly compared to Tuesday, but the deal remained unstable. 

"We are working hard with the mediators to get the deal back on track," the Israeli official said. 

On Tuesday evening, Channel 13 reported that Netanyahu told those at the cabinet meeting that Israel sees no point in discussing the second phase of the agreement after Hamas’ statement postponing the hostage release. 

“There is no point in discussing the second phase because it is just a hypothetical issue at the moment,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying. 

Palestinian sources told Saudi channel Al-Sharq that the mediators held intensive discussions and an initial Israeli commitment was reached to implement provisions of the humanitarian protocol of the first stage starting Thursday morning. The source noted, “We are waiting for the approval of the mediators for Israel's agreement to start bringing in caravans, tents, fuel, heavy engineering equipment, medicines and materials for the renovation of hospitals and everything related to the protocol.” 

A different Palestinian source told the Saudi TV channel that Hamas confirmed its commitment to the agreement and to releasing the scheduled hostages on Saturday. 

The sources told the Saudi channel that the mediators informed Hamas that the group should prevent any provocation of the United States or Israel. The mediators also expressed their commitment to rejecting President Donald Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to “take over” Gaza, allowing voluntary emigration of any Gazans interested in leaving. 

The Egyptian officials also reportedly expressed their commitment to continuing the ceasefire, demanding that the agreed number of aid trucks, tents, and machines to clear the rubble be brought in. Egypt also expressed its willingness to allow wounded Gazans to leave permanently. 

The Palestinian sources told Al Sharq that Hamas was waiting for confirmation of Israel’s commitment to continue aid before releasing the names of the hostages. 

“We are waiting for the approval of the mediators for Israel's agreement to start bringing in caravans, tents, fuel, heavy engineering equipment, medicines and materials for the renovation of hospitals and everything related to the [humanitarian] protocol,” the source told Al Sharq. 

Qatari channel Al Arabi reported that trucks with tents entered the northern Gaza Strip through the Zikim Crossing on Thursday morning. However, the Israeli government denied that any heavy equipment or caravans (prefabricated shelters) were entering the Strip at this time.

Update: On Thursday afternoon, Israeli time, Hamas released a statement affirming its decision to continue the hostage release in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

"The talks were characterized by a positive spirit, and the mediating brothers in Egypt and Qatar confirmed that they would follow up on all of this to remove obstacles and close gaps. Accordingly, Hamas confirms its continued position to implement the agreement in accordance with what was signed, including the exchange of prisoners according to the specified timetable," the statement said.

There is still come uncertainty regarding how President Trump will react, even if Hamas does release the three scheduled hostages on Saturday. 

In his ultimatum on Tuesday, Trump said Hamas should release all the hostages by noon on Saturday.