Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he hopes to announce the release of hostages being held in Gaza in the coming days.
In a televised statement, he also stated, Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarised – either the easy way or the hard way, but it will be achieved.
The comments came after Hamas released a statement on Friday agreeing to free the hostages under a US peace plan but did not mention disarmament and sought negotiations on other issues.
Hamas on Saturday accused Israel of continuing to commit massacres after strikes hit Gaza and urged global pressure on Israel.
Indirect ceasefire talks between the parties are set to start in Egypt on Monday.
US President Donald Trump has expressed that he would not tolerate delay from Hamas in finalizing a deal, encouraging swift action on both sides.
The 20-point US peace plan proposes an immediate end to fighting and the return of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for released Gazans.
As families in both Gaza and Israel express cautious optimism about a potential deal, the reality is fraught with uncertainty, given the complexities of the longstanding conflict and the demands from both parties.
Polls show that a majority of Israelis favor a deal for the release of hostages, yet underlining tensions remain as Netanyahu’s government faces internal pressures regarding military strategies and the risks of further escalation.
Reactions among Palestinians reveal a mixture of hope and skepticism, as many fear Hamas may be getting caught in a trap while others see a historical opportunity to end years of conflict.
However, military action continues, adding to the bleak circumstances as hostilities remain high.
