Israel to Hamas: Want caravans? Release more hostages faster

Israel is presenting Hamas with a clear and unequivocal condition for sending more caravans into the Gaza Strip to shelter civilians: free the six hostages set to be freed in the next two weeks in one go, according to a report by Channel 14.

Following the crisis created by Hamas this week, in which the terrorist group threatened to suspend the release of hostages unless all their demands were met regarding aid, including "compensation" for aid which they allege didn't arrive in the last few weeks, the hostage deal appears to be back on track.

Israeli officials expect to receive a list of living hostages by 4 PM Israel time, which will include just three scheduled hostages - not a larger number as some Israeli officials pressed for, let alone "all" the hostages as President Donald Trump demanded when the crisis began.

Although the deal is back on track for this week, Israel does not appear interested in providing Hamas the caravans, heavy equipment, and other material it demanded this week when it caused the crisis without compensation - specifically, the return of the remaining six living hostages in one round instead of two.

Alongside this, Israel refuses to engage in negotiations for the second phase of hostage negotiations until the first phase is completed in full, including the release of all remaining living hostages and bodies of dead hostages. Qatar, meanwhile, has pressed to begin negotiations for the second phase as soon as possible.

Israeli officials speaking with Channel 14 increasingly believe that the renewed outbreak of war is inevitable and the army and defense establishment are preparing for this event. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz met yesterday with senior officers in the IDF's Southern Command to discuss possible war plans and future preparations in the area.