Netanyahu Aims for Hostage Release Amid Ongoing Gaza Strikes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on October 4, 2025, that Israel aims to bring all hostages home “in the coming days” as discussions with Hamas shift to Egypt. In a televised address, Netanyahu expressed optimism about the hostage situation coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which begins on October 6 and lasts for a week. He indicated that both military and diplomatic pressure had contributed to Hamas’s agreement to release the captives.

The announcement came after a delay of over an hour, reportedly due to Netanyahu’s efforts to appease hardliners within his government. Some of these officials have threatened to withdraw support if Hamas is allowed to continue its existence. Netanyahu portrayed the situation as a victory for Israel, interpreting Hamas’s willingness to negotiate as validation of his administration’s military strategies.

The ongoing conflict has seen renewed hostilities despite Donald Trump‘s recent call for a cessation of airstrikes in Gaza. Trump, who proposed a peace plan that includes a halt to fighting and the release of hostages within 72 hours, warned Hamas to act swiftly or face severe consequences. His plan also entails a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas.

Despite Trump’s directives, Israeli airstrikes have persisted, with reports indicating that at least 57 individuals were killed in Gaza over the weekend, including 40 in Gaza City alone. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly been ordered to limit their operations in Gaza, marking a potential shift in military strategy.

Hamas has announced its intention to hand over control of the Gaza Strip to a panel of independent Palestinian technocrats, claiming the new administration will operate with “Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.” This move is a response to a 20-point peace proposal discussed in a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu earlier in the week.

As negotiations continue, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, is traveling to Egypt to finalize details concerning the hostage release. Trump has emphasized the importance of expediency in these negotiations, stating, “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off.”

Twenty hostages remain in Hamas’s custody, alongside the bodies of 28 others who have not been returned since the group’s attack on October 7, 2023. The situation remains fluid, with significant internal political ramifications within Israel as Netanyahu navigates pressures from both hardliners and moderates in his government regarding the proposed peace deal.

In a recent interview, Trump characterized the potential peace agreement as a significant diplomatic achievement, stating, “I said, ‘Bibi, this is your chance for victory.'” He also noted the role of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in facilitating discussions with Hamas, highlighting the delicate web of international diplomacy involved in the ongoing conflict.

As the situation develops, the international community remains watchful, hoping for a resolution that will bring relief to those affected by the conflict in Gaza.