After threatening to delay freeing Israeli hostages, Hamas announced it would free the captives on Saturday as was originally planned.
The announcement came on the heels of President Donald Trump making it clear to the Palestinian militant group that he would “let hell break out” if they did not follow through on ceasefire agreements.
“Hamas confirms its continued position to implement the deal according to what was signed, which includes exchanging prisoners according to the specified timetable,” a statement by the militant group said. “The talks were characterized by a positive spirit.”
The statement added that Egypt and Qatar would work to “remove obstacles and fill gaps,” referring to the two Arab countries that have played as mediators.
(Video Credit: Sky News)
The next release of hostages was under threat as Hamas accused Israel of “failing to meet its obligations to allow in tents and shelters, among other alleged violations of the truce,” the Associated Press reported.
“Hamas said its delegation held talks in Cairo with Egyptian officials and was in contact with Qatar’s prime minister about bringing into Gaza more shelters, medical supplies, fuel, and heavy equipment for clearing rubble — its key demand in recent days. It said in a statement that the mediators had pledged to ‘remove all hurdles,'” the outlet reported.
The remaining hostages held in Gaza by Hamas since the October 2023 attack on Israel are being exchanged for Palestinian prisoners being held in Israel. But the militants threatened the next exchange set for Saturday after accusing Israel, which set off Trump who then demanded the drip-drip release of innocent civilians be completed at once.
“If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock — I think it’s an appropriate time — I would say cancel,” he told reporters, speaking of the ceasefire.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “If all of the hostages are not returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock, I would say cancel it and all bets are off… All of them. Not in drips and drabs.” pic.twitter.com/MozJATMKRy
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 10, 2025
After the death of another hostage, 86-year-old Shlomo Mantzur, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that he would “continue to act with determination and tirelessness until we return all of our abductees — both the living and the dead.”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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