Netanyahu Optimistic About Hostage Release Amid Ongoing Conflict with Hamas

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:06:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hopes of announcing the release of hostages held by Hamas in the coming days as ceasefire talks begin in Egypt.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he hopes to release hostages held in Gaza soon. His statement follows a willingness from Hamas to negotiate under a U.S. peace plan, although they have not agreed to disarmament. Amid ongoing conflict and airstrikes, reactions in Gaza range from hope to skepticism regarding the potential deal. Indirect ceasefire discussions are set to commence in Egypt as both parties navigate a fragile situation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he hopes to announce the release of hostages being held in Gaza in the coming days.

In a televised statement, he also mentioned, Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarised – either the easy way or the hard way, but it will be achieved. These comments followed Hamas's announcement that they agree to free hostages under a U.S. peace plan but without mentioning disarmament, emphasizing the need for negotiations on additional issues.

Hamas accused Israel of committing massacres after strikes hit Gaza and urged global pressure on Israel. Indirect ceasefire talks between the parties are set to begin in Egypt shortly.

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he would not tolerate any delays from Hamas to finalize a deal, urging quick action. He suggested that Israel has already agreed to an initial withdrawal line as part of the ongoing peace discussions.

The proposed 20-point plan aims for an immediate end to fighting and outlines the release of 20 Israeli hostages, alongside those believed dead, in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans.

Despite Hamas's agreement to some terms of the peace plan, including a role for technocrats in governing Gaza, they did not clarify their stance on disarmament, a critical demand from Israel.

Pessimism persists, with many in both Gaza and Israel worried about the feasibility of a lasting agreement, particularly given Netanyahu's political climate, which is influenced by ultranationalist ministers pushing for total victory over Hamas.

Polling shows significant public support in Israel for a deal to secure the release of hostages and end the ongoing war, despite a deeply divided national sentiment regarding how best to achieve peace.

As families of hostages express cautious optimism, individuals like Vicky Cohen, whose son is among the captives, share their hope and anxiety over the fragile situation. It is a fragile situation and we don't want to be disappointed again. And yet I feel hope that soon I will see Nimrod and I can hug [him] again, she remarked.

In Gaza, the aftermath of the strikes remains severe, with the local infrastructure devastatingly affected. Amid ongoing military action, reactions to the U.S. proposals display a mix of aspiration and skepticism.

The reality remains that many unresolved issues from earlier negotiations linger, and with the complex dynamics at play, reaching a lasting peace deal remains uncertain.