Israel-Hamas ceasefire could collapse due to condition of hostages

The agency notes that Trump's reaction to photos of three hostages, who appeared emaciated after being freed on Saturday, February 8, has raised new uncertainty about the fate of the deal before all 76 Israeli hostages held by Palestinians are released.

"They look like Holocaust survivors. They were in horrible condition. They were emaciated. I don't know how much longer we can take that ... at some point we're going to lose our patience. I know we have a deal ... they dribble in and keep dribbling in ... but they are in really bad shape," Trump said about the Israeli hostages aboard Air Force One while flying to New Orleans.

Release of Israeli hostages

During Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, Ohad Ben-Ami and Eliyahu Sharabi were taken hostage in the Be’eri Kibbutz, and Or Levy was kidnapped from the Nova music festival.

On Saturday, February 8, Palestinian militants handed over the three hostages to Israeli authorities. The three men were in much worse condition than the 18 other hostages previously released.

In exchange for the three men, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom were also exhausted.

Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement on January 15, and on January 19, the terrorists released the first three hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Saturday that the condition of the frail hostages was shocking and that the issue would be addressed.

Trump's plan for the Gaza Strip

On February 4, during Netanyahu's visit to Washington, Trump stated that the US was prepared to buy and take ownership of the Gaza Strip after Palestinians either leave or are removed from the enclave.

He also mentioned that other countries could participate in the reconstruction of certain areas of Gaza.

The inhabitants of the enclave, the Arab League, as well as the leaders of Egypt and Jordan, did not support the US president's idea.