Staff Reports
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that he is not one to play around when it comes to the safety of his citizens. In a recent announcement, he declared that Hamas has decided to comply and will release six living hostages this Saturday, along with four dead hostages this Thursday. It’s a classic case of “better late than never” for an organization that has long been known for its reluctance to negotiate sensibly.
As it stands, there are still 14 hostages under the first phase of what can only be described as a surprisingly patient ceasefire agreement, out of a total of 70. Six are alive, though the actual identities remain shrouded in uncertainty. There’s particularly heightened concern over the fate of two young children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who have captured the media’s attention. Hamas has gone so far as to claim that these children and their mother have perished. Their father, previously released in a questionable display of goodwill, certainly must be feeling the pressure now.
Netanyahu: Six Live Hostages Coming Saturday, Four Dead Ones Thursday https://t.co/hUEFKTsTCW via @BreitbartNews
— Brynjar (@NorseForceMAGA) February 19, 2025
Originally, the release of these hostages was planned to be a drawn-out seven-week affair, but Netanyahu is clearly not in the mood for protracted negotiations. Apparently, he twisted some arms — or at least had some very firm discussions — with Hamas through Egyptian mediators, resulting in a hastier release of the living hostages than was initially set out in the agreement. Negotiating with terrorists often requires a bit of grit, and Netanyahu seems to have brought just that to the table.
In an official announcement from Netanyahu’s office, there was confirmation of the Cairo negotiations leading to this accelerated timeline. It’s almost poetic. Four deceased hostages will be returned to Israel this Thursday, with an additional four expected to follow next week. It’s a grim reminder of the toll war takes, but one that demonstrates Israel’s determination in the face of adversity.
Domestically, Netanyahu has felt significant pressure to strike a ceasefire deal, and for good reason. Visual images of recently freed hostages appearing shockingly frail have sparked outrage and amplified the responsibilities on the government. Even Donald Trump made a pointed comparison, suggesting some looked “like Holocaust survivors.” The visuals, contrary to Hamas’s narrative, have made the group’s claim to moral high ground laughable. It’s high time for all parties involved to remember that human lives should never be used as bargaining chips in political games. With discussions about the second phase of the hostage release expected to commence soon, all eyes will be on how Netanyahu proceeds with these negotiations.
