Key points
- Hamas agrees to release captives
- Trump pressures Hamas
- Ceasefire talks set to begin Monday
ISLAMABAD: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed hope of announcing the release of hostages held in Gaza “in the coming days”. In a televised speech, he also stated: “Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarised – either the easy way or the hard way, but it will be achieved.”
Netanyahu says he hopes all the hostages will be released in the coming days. After that Hamas will be disarmed the easy or hard way. I don’t see Trump stopping him.
— Alan Sked (@profsked) October 4, 2025
His comments followed a statement from Hamas on Friday agreeing to release the hostages as part of a US-led peace proposal. However, the group did not address disarmament and instead requested further negotiations, according to the BBC.
Hamas accused Israel on Saturday of continuing to commit “massacres” after morning airstrikes on Gaza, and called for international pressure on the Israeli government.
Indirect ceasefire negotiations are scheduled to begin in Egypt on Monday.
The 20-point proposal
US President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Hamas, stating he will “not tolerate delay” in concluding a deal. Posting on his Truth Social platform, he warned: “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off… Let’s get this done, FAST.”
In a follow-up post, Trump claimed Israel “has agreed to the initial withdrawal line,” seemingly referring to military withdrawal points outlined in the US plan.
The 20-point proposal calls for an immediate halt to fighting, along with the release of 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of deceased captives. In return, hundreds of Palestinian detainees would be released.
Greater military action
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on X that it had received orders “to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan for the release of the hostages,” stressing that protecting its troops remains “a top priority”.
Hamas has responded with a conditional acceptance — agreeing to release all remaining hostages and allow Gaza to be governed by technocrats, but it stopped short of agreeing to disarm.
Optimism is growing on both sides that a breakthrough might be possible. Trump’s personal involvement, driven by a desire to be remembered as the man who ended the conflict, marks a significant change. He has publicly urged Hamas to accept the deal and threatened greater military action. There are also signs of frustration from Trump with the Israeli leadership.
Increasing global isolation
Nevertheless, major stumbling blocks remain. Hamas insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal and guarantees that Israel will not resume military action once hostages are freed. The group fears losing its leverage post-release and is expected to demand solid assurances.
Doubts persist beyond Gaza as well. Netanyahu has been accused by critics of stalling peace efforts for political advantage. He is supported by ultranationalist coalition members who threaten to resign if the war ends without Hamas’s total defeat — a move that could topple the government. Despite this, Netanyahu’s position currently appears stable.
At home, polling consistently indicates that most Israelis back a deal to secure the hostages’ release and end the war. However, the country remains deeply polarised, weary from ongoing conflict and facing increasing global isolation.
Two years of genocide
Palestinian reactions range from hope to scepticism. Some fear Hamas is falling into a trap — that Israel may resume fighting once its hostages are freed. Others see the moment as a chance to end nearly two years of genocide.
“Don’t get carried away by optimism,” Gaza resident Ibrahim Fares told the media. “There will be rounds of talks over the details. The devil is always in the details.”
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continue. Despite Trump’s call on Friday to “immediately stop the bombing”, three strikes hit Gaza City on Saturday, killing one person and injuring others, according to al-Shifa Hospital.
Gaza’s health ministry reported 66 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 67,074 since the massacre began.
Due to restrictions by Israel, international journalists have been unable to independently enter Gaza since the invasion started in October 2023. Over 90% of Gaza’s homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed, and the population has been displaced multiple times.
