Hamas Says They Will Release Three, Not All, Hostages This Saturday – Guy D. McCardle

In the latest development in the ongoing hostage saga in the Middle East, Hamas has announced plans to release three captives this Saturday, February 15, 2025. This decision comes amid heightened tensions following President Donald Trump’s ultimatum demanding the release of all hostages by the same deadline. The contrasting positions underscore the fragile nature of the current ceasefire and the complexities involved in hostage negotiations.

Hamas’ Planned Release

According to a report by Reuters, the three hostages slated for release are:

• Sagui Dekel-Chen: An American-Israeli civilian.
• Iair Horn: An Israeli-Argentinian citizen.
• Alexandre Sasha Troufanov: An Israeli-Russian national.

This move is part of a broader ceasefire agreement mediated by Egypt and Qatar, aiming to facilitate the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire, which began on January 19, 2025, has already seen the release of several hostages and prisoners on both sides.

The three hostages set to be released by Hamas were all abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Their release is part of the sixth prisoner swap since the ceasefire began on January 19, 2025.
In exchange for these hostages, Israel is expected to release 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Among them, 36 Palestinians serving life sentences in Israeli prisons will be freed, while 333 others will be repatriated to Gaza.

The announcement follows a period of uncertainty when Hamas had threatened to delay the hostage release, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire terms. However, after mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar, Hamas confirmed its commitment to the agreement.

The Israeli government has accepted the list of hostages to be released. Both sides have emphasized the importance of adhering to the ceasefire agreement to ensure its continued implementation.

President Trump’s Ultimatum

Hamas’ plan to release three hostages on Saturday does not fully align with President Trump’s ultimatum. Actually, it doesn’t even come close. Trump has demanded that all remaining hostages be released by noon on February 15, 2025, warning that failure to comply will result in severe consequences.

The decision to release only three hostages falls short of Trump’s insistence on an immediate and complete release rather than a phased approach. He has criticized these incremental releases, stating that hostages should not be freed “in drips and drabs.”

In response to Trump’s ultimatum, Israeli officials have been cautious in their statements. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel could resume military action on February 15 if hostages are not released, but he did not specify a number or explicitly demand the release of all remaining hostages. This suggests that Israel is trying to balance Trump’s demands with the ongoing ceasefire agreement and negotiations.

President Trump has previously voiced doubts that Hamas will meet the Saturday deadline for releasing hostages. During a meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan at the White House, Trump stated, “I have a Saturday deadline, and I don’t think they’re going to make the deadline personally.” He added, “I think they want to play tough guy, but we’ll see how tough they are.”

Mr.Trump also suggested that if Hamas does not comply, canceling the ceasefire would be “appropriate.” However, he acknowledged that the final decision on whether to end the ceasefire would be up to Israel.

Ceasefire Under Strain

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is under serious strain, facing its most significant crisis since it began on January 19, 2025. Several factors are contributing to this tension.

Hamas initially threatened to delay the release of hostages scheduled for Saturday, February 15, claiming that Israel had violated the agreement. In response, Israel warned that if Hamas failed to release the three living hostages as planned, it would resume military operations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced this stance, stating, “If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will terminate.” However, there is uncertainty about whether Netanyahu’s demand refers to all 76 remaining hostages or just the three scheduled for release.

Hamas has accused Israel of breaching the agreement by blocking the return of displaced individuals and restricting the flow of humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, Israeli officials claim that Hamas has not upheld its commitments under the ceasefire, leading to conflicting narratives from both sides.

The current situation is testing the strength of the ceasefire in several ways. Diplomatic efforts are underway, with Egypt and Qatar working urgently to maintain the agreement. A high-ranking Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo for negotiations, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Hostage releases remain a key factor. The planned release of three hostages on Saturday has become a critical test of whether the ceasefire will hold. Despite earlier threats to postpone, Hamas has now confirmed that these hostages will be released as scheduled.

Aid and humanitarian concerns are also a major point of contention. Disputes over the entry of humanitarian supplies, including construction materials and temporary housing, are adding strain to the agreement.

Political pressures on both sides are further complicating efforts to maintain the ceasefire. Netanyahu’s coalition is divided, with some members pushing for a more aggressive military response.

The outcome of this crisis will likely determine whether the ceasefire can move into its second phase, which aims to secure the release of all remaining hostages and establish a more permanent truce.

International Reactions

International reactions to Hamas’ announcement of releasing three more hostages on Saturday have been cautiously optimistic.

World leaders have generally welcomed the news, seeing it as a positive step toward maintaining the truce between Israel and Hamas. President Trump’s reaction has yet to be seen, but he had said in the past that the final decision to take action is up to Israel and not the US.

Egypt and Qatar, who have been acting as mediators, have intensified their diplomatic efforts to preserve the ceasefire. Their involvement has been crucial in facilitating hostage releases and maintaining open communication between both sides.

Israeli officials have responded with a mix of caution and determination. While they welcome the release of hostages, they have also warned that “intense fighting” will resume if Hamas does not uphold its commitments.

Meanwhile, the international community remains concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Discussions are ongoing about aid delivery and the return of displaced individuals. There is also growing attention on the condition of the hostages, as some recently released captives were found to be in poor health, leading to calls for better treatment of those still in captivity.

The global response underscores the extreme complexity of the situation—balancing hope for continued hostage releases with concerns over the broader conflict and worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

For those keeping score, no one is winning here.

Wrapping Up

The impending release of three hostages by Hamas marks a significant moment in the ongoing negotiations. However, it remains to be seen whether this action will be sufficient to satisfy the demands of the U.S. and Israeli leadership. As the Saturday deadline approaches, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.