Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered a rare note of optimism in the long-running Gaza conflict, saying he hopes to announce the release of hostages “in the coming days.”
Speaking on television, he also reaffirmed Israel’s uncompromising stance toward Hamas, declaring that the group would be disarmed and Gaza demilitarised “either the easy way or the hard way.”
The announcement comes after Hamas issued a statement agreeing to free hostages under a U.S.-brokered plan, but crucially, it made no mention of disarmament and called for negotiations on other issues. The divergence in priorities underscores the enduring impasse: Israel seeks security guarantees and the neutralisation of Hamas’s military capabilities, while Hamas focuses on political leverage and international recognition.
Hamas responded on Saturday with accusations that Israel continues to commit “massacres” following morning airstrikes in Gaza. The group called for global pressure to halt what it described as disproportionate attacks. The exchange reflects the deep-seated mistrust between the parties, with both leaders balancing domestic and international messaging alongside tactical objectives.
Indirect ceasefire talks are set to begin in Egypt on Monday, a familiar forum for mediation in Gaza disputes. Egypt has historically acted as a neutral intermediary, facilitating communication and easing tensions when direct engagement is politically unviable. That these talks are indirect highlights the persistent wariness on both sides and the difficulty of building trust after decades of conflict.
Netanyahu’s insistence on demilitarisation echoes long-standing Israeli objectives, yet achieving it has proved historically elusive. Past military campaigns have damaged Hamas’s infrastructure but failed to remove its capacity to launch attacks. A sustainable resolution would require not only military pressure but also political and economic measures, areas in which progress has repeatedly stalled.
The potential release of hostages offers a humanitarian reprieve and a political opening, but it also imposes pressure on Hamas to negotiate quickly. Netanyahu’s framing signals that Israel is prepared to pursue its security goals regardless of Hamas’s cooperation. The coming days will be pivotal: success could offer both a humanitarian victory and a rare diplomatic breakthrough, while failure could intensify hostilities.
Ultimately, the episode highlights the intractable nature of the Gaza conflict. Israel remains focused on neutralising Hamas’s military threat, while Hamas continues to leverage hostages and international attention to advance its agenda. Even with a prospective humanitarian breakthrough, these deeper tensions are unlikely to dissipate, meaning Gaza’s cycle of violence and diplomacy is poised to continue.
