From Israel said to tell Hamas hostage-ceasefire deal can continue if three captives freed on Saturday
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Hamas gunmen surround(L-R) Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy on a stage before handing them over to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (Eyad BABA / AFP)
Israel sends a message to Hamas through mediators Egypt and Qatar that the hostage release-ceasefire deal will continue if the terror group releases three more hostages on Saturday, Axios reports, citing a senior Israeli official.
Yesterday, a series of conflicting statements by officials and by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas must release “our hostages,” “9 hostages,” and “all of them” for the ceasefire to continue.
Earlier this week, Hamas said it was freezing hostage releases until further notice over alleged Israeli violations of the deal.
