Israel optimistic Hamas will release hostages on Saturday, source tell 'Post'

Israel is optimistic that the hostage deal can be continued and that the next release of hostages can be achieved on Saturday, a source with knowledge told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.

The Post learned on Thursday that Israeli ministers were insistent on “upholding the agreements as they are.”

Later on Thursday, Hamas confirmed its commitment to the continuation of the hostage-ceasefire deal in a statement on Telegram.

“Hamas confirms its continued position to implement the agreement in accordance with what was signed” and “the specified timetable,” the Hamas statement read.

The Prime Minister’s spokesperson refuted Thursday reports made by Al Jazeera, noting the claims regarding Israel providing ready-made homes to the Gaza Strip were false.

“No caravans or heavy machinery have been brought into the Gaza Strip, and no coordination for such entry exists.Additionally, in accordance with the agreement, no goods are being brought into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing,” the spokesperson said.

An Israeli official told the Post that the images of caravans and tractors that were circulating were from Egyptian territory. No such tools could be entered from the Rafah Crossing, the official noted, adding that there was no Israeli agreement to allow such tools to enter Gaza.

Illustrative image of Hamas terrorists. (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90, Canva, REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM)

Reuters reported that mediators had received a commitment from both parties that the implementation of the hostage deal would be achieved.

Earlier on Thursday, the Saudi news outlet Asharq reported, citing a source familiar with the matter, that Hamas is ready to commit to the continuation of the hostage deal and the sixth hostage release on Saturday.

The terror group “confirmed to Egyptian officials its commitment to the agreement” and the release of hostages on Saturday, the source was cited as saying.

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The report claimed that Hamas conditioned this step in exchange for Israel “bringing in [to the Gaza Strip] caravans, tents, fuel, heavy equipment, medicines, hospital renovation materials.”

Hamas says it will not release ‘all’ hostages on Saturday

On Wednesday evening, senior Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri spoke to Al Jazeera that Hamas was “committed” to implementing the previously agreed schedule of the hostage deal and that they would not release “all” Israeli hostages on Saturday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that if Hamas does not release the Israeli hostages by Saturday, “all hell will break loose.”

James Genn contributed to this report.