Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and top Israeli security officials convened on Friday to deliberate on how to respond to Hamas’s reported breach of the hostage release agreement.
The Gaza ceasefire deal stipulates that Hamas must release all female civilian hostages before moving to categories such as female soldiers, the elderly, and the seriously ill.
However, the list of four hostages Hamas plans to release this weekend includes female soldiers, violating the agreed sequence.
Israel had previously communicated to Hamas its expectation that Arbel Yehud, a female civilian hostage, be included in this weekend’s release.
Yehud is believed to be held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad rather than Hamas, raising concerns in Jerusalem about potential delays in her release.
Israeli officials are weighing several options to address the violation. These include pulling out of their commitment to allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza on Saturday or adjusting the list of Palestinian prisoners slated for release in exchange for the four hostages.
Under the ceasefire deal, Israel is set to release Palestinian prisoners, including individuals convicted of terrorism.
The agreement also requires Hamas to provide detailed information about the status of remaining hostages, including those deceased.
The breach threatens to strain the already fragile truce, with both sides under scrutiny for adherence to the terms of the agreement.
The ceasefire, now in its fourth day, follows months of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Hostage releases are a critical component of the agreement, with families of the abducted demanding full compliance from both sides.
As of now, 91 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with Hamas also holding the remains of IDF soldiers killed in past conflicts.
Netanyahu’s office is expected to release an official statement on the consultations later this evening.
Netanyahu holds consultations following Hamas hostage deal violation
