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Emergency Cabinet Meeting and Escalating Tensions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday amid rising tensions over the fate of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The meeting was prompted by Hamas’s announcement that it would indefinitely postpone the next phase of hostage releases, which had been expected to take place on Saturday. This decision heightened concerns about the stability of the fragile three-week ceasefire and intensified pressure on the Israeli government to respond. The security cabinet gathered to discuss how—and whether—to proceed with negotiations aimed at securing the safe return of all hostages by this spring. The meeting began shortly after midday in Jerusalem, according to Israeli officials.
The situation grew even more tense as relatives of the hostages took to the streets, blocking Israel’s main highway with protest signs and orange smoke bombs. Their frustration and desperation were evident as they demanded urgent action from the government. Meanwhile, the families of the hostages received mixed news: while one family was overjoyed to receive a proof-of-life message about 27-year-old twins Gali and Ziv Berman, another family was devastated to learn that Shlomo Mantzur, the oldest hostage at 86, had been killed. These developments underscored the emotional toll of the ongoing crisis and the precarious nature of the negotiations.
Hostage Releases and Ceasefire Deal
Since the ceasefire began, only a handful of Israeli hostages have been released each week, with 16 out of 33 hostages freed so far as part of the initial phase of the negotiated deal. This phase, which involves the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, is set to expire in early March. A second phase of the deal, intended to last six weeks, would address the release of approximately 60 additional hostages, some of whom are feared dead. However, the delay announced by Hamas has cast doubt on the viability of this second phase, leaving the families of the remaining hostages in a state of anguish and uncertainty.
The ceasefire agreement, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, has been fragile from the start, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Hamas cited Israel’s alleged breaches of the agreement as the reason for postponing the next hostage release, further straining relations. The Israeli government, already under pressure from families and political opponents, is now grappling with the possibility of the deal collapsing entirely.
Internal Divisions in Israel
The delay in hostage releases has exposed deep divisions within Israel over how to handle the crisis. Some officials and political figures, including far-right lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir, have called for military action to rescue the hostages, arguing that continued negotiations only embolden Hamas. “Trump is right! Go back and destroy now!” Ben-Gvir wrote in a social media post, echoing the sentiment of those who believe that the only way to secure the hostages’ release is through force.
On the other hand, opposition leader Yair Lapid and others have urged the government to continue negotiations, emphasizing that diplomacy is the only way to ensure the hostages’ safety and pave the way for a lasting peace. “The sign of life from twins Gali and Ziv Berman is a wake-up call this morning to the Israeli government,” Lapid wrote on social media. “Netanyahu, go to Doha. Bring everyone home. Time is running out.” The deadlock between these two approaches reflects the broader debate in Israel about how to balance security concerns with the need for a peaceful resolution.
Trump’s Intervention and Controversial Remarks
The situation took a dramatic turn when former U.S. President Donald Trump inserted himself into the negotiations, issuing an ultimatum that further complicated the already tense standoff. On Monday night, Trump demanded that all remaining hostages be released by Saturday at noon, warning that “all hell is going to break out” if the deadline is not met. His comments were seen by many as an attempt to exert pressure on Hamas, but they also risked undermining the fragile negotiations and escalating the conflict.
Trump’s remarks were followed by even more controversial statements during an interview on Fox News, in which he suggested that the roughly two million Palestinians in Gaza should be relocated to Jordan and Egypt. Such a proposal constitutes a violation of international law, as it amounts to the forced deportation of a civilian population—a war crime. Trump’s comments were met with widespread condemnation from Palestinians, Arab states, and even some European allies, who rejected the idea as both impractical and morally indefensible.
Hamas’s Response and Arab Media Reaction
Despite Trump’s provocative statements, Hamas remained defiant, with official Sami Abu Zuhri telling Alaraby TV that the former president’s comments would not deter the group from upholding its end of the ceasefire agreement. “Trump should remember that there is an agreement that must be respected by both sides, and this is the only path for the hostages’ return,” Abu Zuhri said. Hamas’s stance was seen as a signal that it would not be swayed by external pressure, even as the international community urged both sides to adhere to the terms of the ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Arab media reported that plans for a visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Washington appeared to have been scrapped, potentially reflecting the regional backlash against Trump’s remarks. Jordan’s King Abdullah II, however, was scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington, raising questions about how the two leaders would address the growing crisis. The broader Arab world remained united in rejecting Trump’s proposal to forcibly relocate Gazans, with many viewing it as an attempt to further destabilize the region.
International Community Calls for Restraint
As tensions continued to escalate, the international community issued urgent appeals for calm and restraint. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in a social media post, warned of the catastrophic consequences of a ceasefire collapse. “We must avoid at all costs resumption of hostilities in Gaza that would lead to immense tragedy,” he wrote. Guterres urged Hamas to proceed with the planned hostage releases and called on both sides to fully abide by the terms of the ceasefire agreement. His statement reflected the growing concern among global leaders that the situation could spiral out of control if not managed with care.
Guterres’s appeal was echoed by other world leaders, who recognized the urgency of maintaining the ceasefire and resuming negotiations. The international community’s focus on diplomacy and dialogue stood in stark contrast to the more hawkish rhetoric emanating from some quarters, particularly in Israel and the United States. As the deadline for Trump’s ultimatum loomed closer, the world watched anxiously, hoping that cooler heads would prevail and that a path to peace might still be found.
In the end, the situation in Israel and Gaza remains a delicate balancing act, with the lives of hostages, the stability of the ceasefire, and the long-term prospects for peace hanging in the balance. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the parties can find a way forward or whether the region will once again descend into chaos and conflict.
