An Israeli campaign group has called upon the government to maintain the ongoing truce in Gaza as the scheduled fifth hostage-prisoner swap approaches this Saturday. This appeal comes in the wake of controversial comments made by former US President Donald Trump, which have raised significant concerns over the future of the ceasefire agreement.
The upcoming exchange follows Trump’s startling declaration that the United States would take control of Gaza and facilitate the relocation of Palestinians. His remarks have ignited outrage throughout the Middle East and prompted reactions from various political factions. In light of these developments, the Israeli government has instructed its military to prepare for the “voluntary” relocation of residents from Gaza. Conversely, Hamas has firmly rejected Trump’s proposals, branding them as “absolutely unacceptable.”
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, representing families of those held captive, urged that the focus should remain on ensuring the return of the hostages. “An entire nation demands to see the hostages return home… Now is the time to ensure the agreement is completed – until the very last one,” the group stated. Since the initiation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement on January 19, four swaps have been successfully conducted, with 18 hostages released in exchange for approximately 600 Palestinian prisoners.
The delicate ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, aspires to liberate a total of 33 hostages during the first 42-day phase. While the fifth swap is confirmed for Saturday, specifics regarding the number of hostages Hamas will release in exchange for Israeli prisoners remain undisclosed.
Yaela David, whose brother Evyatar is still in captivity, has called on the negotiating team to finalize the necessary arrangements to secure all hostages’ return as part of the current deal. She emphasized the urgency, stating, “This must happen under this deal, and if not, there will remain a huge black stain on the history of our state.”
Despite the backlash from regional leaders and initial attempts by his administration to clarify his statement, Trump has reaffirmed his position, asserting on his Truth Social platform that the Gaza Strip would be transferred to US control once hostilities cease. He claimed that this would usher in stability for the region without the need for American military presence.
In response to Trump’s comments, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he had directed the military to develop a strategy for the “voluntary departure” of Gazans to any country willing to accept them. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed endorsement for Trump’s ideas, referring to them as “the first original idea to be raised in years.”
Hamas has reacted vehemently, with spokesperson Hazem Qassem stating that Trump’s remarks signify an open declaration of intent to occupy Gaza. He insisted, “Gaza is for its people and they will not leave.”
Negotiations for the second stage of the ceasefire were set to commence on Monday, aiming to secure the release of additional hostages and lay the groundwork for a permanent resolution to the conflict, which erupted after Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. At that time, militants took 251 hostages, with 76 remaining in captivity, including 34 that the Israeli military claims are deceased.
