The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hoped for the possibility of an early release of the remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip. “We are about to have a great achievement,” said Netanyahu in a video address. But this is not absolutely certain. “I hope that with God’s help in the next few days, even during the deciduous hut festival, we can inform you about the return of all of our hostages.”
So far, Israel 207 has been able to bring back on October 7, 2023. “I never gave up the remaining hostages,” said Netanyahu. This also applies to the other war goals of Israel. The Israeli offensive in the city of Gaza created the conditions for the release of the remaining 48 hostages. According to Israeli information, 20 of these hostages are still alive.
“At the same time, I coordinated a diplomatic initiative with the (US President Donald) Trump,” said Netanyahu. This changed the situation by 180 degrees. “Instead of isolating Israel, Hamas is isolated.” Under the military and diplomatic pressure, Hamas has now agreed to the Trump plan.
Netanyahu: Army will continue to control strategic areas in Gaza
In a first step, the Islamist terrorist organization will hand over all hostages. At the same time, the Israeli army will reposition itself, but will continue to control strategically important areas “deep in the Gaza Strip”, Netanyahu continued.
He instructed the Israeli negotiation team to travel to Egypt to clarify the last details of the hostage handover. Israel and the United States are determined to limit indirect negotiations with Hamas to a few days.
In a second step, Hamas will then be disarmed and the Gaza strip is demilitarized, the head of government announced. This could either be done on a diplomatic way – according to the Trump Peace Plan – or with military means. “It is achieved on the light or difficult path – but it will happen.”
Hamas had approved Trump’s plan in parts, but did not expressly accept the requested resignation of the weapons.
