This morning (Monday), Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem announced that the terrorist organization is prepared to respond to the requests of mediating countries regarding the release of hostages, signaling increased pressure on Hamas.
“We are ready to allow the release of the living hostages in the second phase of the agreement to be done in one batch rather than several phases,” Qassem said in an interview with a Qatari channel, attempting to advance the deal. This marks a significant shift in Hamas’s strategy, which has preferred to release hostages in stages in order to maximize political gains.
The Pressure is Having an Effect
Meanwhile, Israel continues to delay the release of about 600 terrorists, including senior figures such as Nael Barghouti, who was convicted of murdering bus driver Mordechai Yekuel, and Ammar al-Zaben who is responsible for the murder of 27 Israelis.
The cause for the delay, according to assessments, is Hamas’s cynical behavior throughout the deal, including handing over a substitute body for the remains of fallen hostage Shiri Bibas, their lies about the Bibas family’s brutal murder, the obscene celebratory rituals at the releases, and most recently the production of a brutal video showing Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David forced to watch their friends being released from captivity while they remained behind.
Netanyahu: “Victory, Victory, and Only Victory”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation during the graduation ceremony of a combat officers’ course held yesterday, stating: “We are committed to the objectives of the war: the return of all our hostages, the dismantling of Hamas, and the safe return of our citizens to their homes.”
He emphasized that military pressure, along with the strong backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, contributed to the release of hostages over the recent weeks, adding: “We will not relent until everyone returns home.”
