The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, issued a warning to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group in Gaza, demanding the "prompt" release of Israeli hostages still under their custody. Otherwise, Israel will resume its offensive in the region. Katz stated that if Hamas does not comply, the consequences will be severe, and the Israel Defense Forces will use methods unknown to the group.
During a ceremony marking the anniversary of the death of Menachem Begin, former Israeli Prime Minister, Katz highlighted that Israel has responded to a request from mediators to extend negotiations for a few days. However, he clarified that humanitarian aid to Gaza has been suspended and reiterated Israel's position of not allowing Hamas to govern the region again.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, ordered the cessation of humanitarian aid to the territory and proposed a new agreement, managed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, to extend the ceasefire in exchange for the release of all hostages in two stages. Hamas rejected this proposal, accusing Israel of obstructing negotiations for the second phase.
The Forum of Families of Hostages and Disappeared, representing the relatives of those kidnapped in October 2023, requested a new agreement that releases all hostages at once, as Hamas previously offered. The conditions for the release of hostages remain a point of conflict between the parties, complicating the prospects for a short-term agreement.
