Destroyed buildings are pictured in the west of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on Feb. 11, 2025 amid the current ceasefire deal in the war between Israel and Hamas (BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Fox News Hamas has announced plans to release three Israeli hostages on Saturday as originally scheduled, reversing an earlier threat to delay their release. The move comes amid mounting pressure from the international community and the looming deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ceasefire at Risk Over Hostage Crisis
The decision follows a statement from Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obeida, who had previously warned that the release scheduled for February 15, 2025, could be postponed indefinitely. Obeida cited unmet demands and the need for “compensation for the entitlements of the past weeks” as reasons for the potential delay. However, Hamas has now indicated that it will proceed with the release as planned.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 4, 2025 in Washington, D.C.  (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Both the United States and Israel have made clear that failure to release the hostages could have significant consequences. President Trump, speaking on Monday, reaffirmed his position that Israel has full control over the ceasefire decision. However, he warned that if all hostages were not freed by Saturday at noon, Israel should “cancel it and … let hell break out.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, stating that the ceasefire would not continue beyond the deadline if Hamas failed to comply with the agreement.
Background: The Ongoing Conflict
The ongoing conflict stems from a brutal Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023, which included mass kidnappings, murders, and acts of terror. In response, Israel launched an extensive military operation aimed at dismantling Hamas’ operational capabilities and securing the release of hostages.
As part of mediated negotiations, Hamas agreed to release some hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, but tensions have remained high. The group’s threat to delay the latest release raised concerns about the stability of the current truce and the potential for renewed hostilities.
International Reactions and Future Implications
Amid the unfolding crisis, Trump and Netanyahu recently met to discuss possible courses of action. During a press conference, Trump floated the idea of resettling Palestinians outside of Gaza—a proposal that has sparked debate among policymakers and international observers.
The global community continues to monitor the situation closely. Business magnate Elon Musk took to social media to commend efforts to secure the hostages’ release. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has indicated it will support Israel in any decisions regarding the ceasefire and broader military strategy.
As Saturday’s deadline approaches, all eyes are on Hamas to see if it follows through on its commitment. If not, the region could be poised for another significant escalation in the conflict.
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