The first stage of the hostage release deal is nearing completion, with six hostages expected to return to Israel on Saturday and four deceased persons to be returned next Thursday.
Israeli Minister Ron Dermer, leading the negotiating team alongside heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet, is scheduled to meet at the White House with U.S. envoy Steve Witckoff. The meeting will discuss Israel’s demands and efforts to advance discussions in coordination with Qatar and Egypt, who may host a meeting on the subject.
The second stage hinges on three conditions:
Meanwhile, contacts to initiate Phase B are gaining momentum, with Israel clarifying that the continuation of the agreement is conditional on three key demands:
- Full demilitarization of the Gaza Strip
- Removal of Hamas from positions of power
- Prevention of transferring control of the strip to the Palestinian Authority
We Are Working to Maintain the Dynamics of Hostage Release
According to sources in the security establishment, Hamas is proposing a “all-for-all” framework, meaning the release of all hostages at once in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. However, it remains unclear whether Hamas is demanding the release of all prisoners or is focused solely on Hamas militants.
In the meantime, a senior Israeli official noted, “It’s hard to believe there will be agreements within a week, but we are doing everything possible to maintain the dynamics of hostage release, understanding that all sides are interested in this.”
Challenge of the Philadelphi Route and Its Implications
According to the agreement’s provisions, the ceasefire can be extended as long as negotiations continue with mutual consent. However, Israel faces a challenge on day 42 of the agreement, when security forces will be required to begin evacuating the Philadelphi Route by day 50 at the latest.
This decision is expected to be a critical component in future developments, and efforts may be made to postpone the evacuation or integrate it into further humanitarian phases.
Fate of the Hostages and Future of the Strip
The continuation of progress depends on several key factors, including the meeting between Dermer and Witckoff, the expected talks with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, and Hamas’s response to diplomatic moves.
Meanwhile, Jerusalem is closely monitoring developments, understanding that the next phase of the agreement may determine the fate of the hostages and the future of the Gaza Strip.
