Israel demands freedom of hostage from Hamas – otherwise war

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened Hamas with a continuation of the Gaza War if it should not release the Israeli hostages until Saturday. How many hostages have to be released, he left his office open in a message after the end of a session of the security cabinet for several hours.

“If Hamas does not return our hostages until Saturday afternoon, the ceasefire will end and the IDF (the army) will resume the intensive fights until Hamas’ final defeat,” said Netanyahu.

Israeli media reported that the government was demanding the release of all the hostages that were still alive, which should be released during the first phase of the agreements on ceasefire and the hostage deal. That would be nine. You don’t necessarily have to come free on Saturday. There could also be three on Saturday and others in the following days. There was initially no official confirmation.

The Islamist terrorist organization Hamas announced on Monday that the release was exposed to the release as long as Israel does not stick to the agreements. Israel rated this as a break in the agreements.

The release of all hostages by US President Donald Trump then until Saturday afternoon was greeted by the members of the security cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but was not fully adopted.

The agreement on the ceasefire and the hostage deal actually stipulate that during a first phase, 33 hostages are gradually exchanged for Palestinians arrested in 1904. Trump had proposed to reveal the ceasefire if not all hostages should be free by Saturday afternoon. Otherwise “hell breaks off,” he threatened in Washington. The decision about it lies with Israel.

So far, Hamas has released a total of 16 hostages in five exchange campaigns. In return, Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Of the remaining hostages of the first phase, eight are considered dead, nine should still be alive.