The Israeli military has issued a warning about the complexities surrounding the implementation of the truce deal with Hamas for the release of hostages, emphasizing that “nothing is over until it’s over.” While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the release of 24 hostages, including 13 Israelis, the Israel Defence Forces spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, stressed that challenging days lie ahead.
Hagari acknowledged the release as a “great relief” but cautioned, “The days ahead of us will be complicated, nothing is over until it’s over. We should be prepared.” The four-day ceasefire, brokered with the assistance of Qatar, initiated in Gaza to facilitate the hostage release. Most of the Israelis released were reported to be in good health upon returning to Israel, with Israel reciprocating by releasing 39 Palestinian prisoners later in the day.
IDF troops were deployed along the operational pause lines in Gaza, with preparations underway for the next phases of the conflict during the ceasefire. Addressing concerns about potential evacuations of senior Hamas officials, Hagari stated, “We’re monitoring everything necessary, and are monitoring senior Hamas officials, in Gaza and anywhere in the world.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu affirmed the nation’s commitment to ensuring the release of all hostages, considering it a key objective of the ongoing conflict. Netanyahu’s office revealed the reception of a new list of hostages scheduled for release by Hamas on Saturday, marking the second batch under the four-day truce. The situation remains fluid, with both cautious optimism and acknowledgment of the challenges ahead in the ongoing negotiations.
