Egypt Daily News – Israel reported on Tuesday that Hamas may release four hostages next Thursday as part of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, amid efforts to accelerate their release.
Once the final exchange of the first phase is completed, Hamas will face three options to continue with the Gaza agreement: accepting Israel’s demand to disarm, allowing its leaders to go into exile, and relinquishing control over the Gaza Strip. Only then would the process move to the second phase, which includes the release of all remaining hostages and a complete end to the war, according to The Times of Israel.
An Israeli official told the newspaper that Hamas could also choose to continue releasing hostages and extend the ceasefire, or it could decide to end the ceasefire, which would mean a return to full-scale war.
“If that happens, it will be different this time,” the official added. “There is a new defense minister, a new chief of staff, all the weapons we need, and full legitimacy from the Trump administration.” He warned that Israel would “unleash the gates of hell on Hamas.”
After the exchange next Thursday, Israel will give Hamas some time to decide its course of action, but if no further hostages are released by Saturday, March 8, Israel will consider the ceasefire over, the official said.
Israel expects U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to arrive in the country in the coming days, despite the postponement of his planned visit on Wednesday. According to the official, his visit was delayed because “he is waiting for conditions to mature further.”
The Israeli official added that Tel Aviv has formed teams to explore ways to implement U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for voluntary migration from Gaza and to identify countries willing to accept Gaza residents.
