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There will likely be no finish to the conflict in Gaza if Hamas doesn’t hand over all 48 dwelling and deceased hostages and fully disarm per the phrases of the settlement finalized in a single day between Hamas and Israel, Jerusalem’s ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, warned in an interview with Fox Information Digital on Thursday.
The Israeli authorities is predicted to approve the peace deal first offered by President Donald Trump late final month, after which agreed to by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu.
However issues stay over Hamas’ commitment and skill to return all of the our bodies of the deceased hostages inside a 72-hour window starting Friday evening native time, as directed underneath the phrases of the settlement.
Palestinians, together with kids, gathered within the metropolis of Khan Yunis have a good time after the announcement of the ceasefire settlement in Gaza on Oct. 9, 2025 in Khan Yunis, Gaza. (Abdallah F.s. Alattar/Anadolu through Getty Pictures)
TRUMP PEACE DEAL TRIGGERS 72-HOUR COUNTDOWN FOR HAMAS TO RELEASE 48 HOSTAGES FROM GAZA
“They’ve an obligation to return everybody in 72 hours. Hopefully we’re going have the ability to maintain every part inside that framework,” Leiter stated when requested about issues over Hamas’ skill to right away hand over all of the deceased hostages. “There are some glitches that we’ve to cope with, and this problem is certainly one of them.
“However we have to see all of the our bodies again, and I do not suppose we’re going to have the ability to transfer ahead till we do have everybody,” he added.
Leiter stated part of the issue is Hamas didn’t diligently maintain monitor of the place it left the our bodies of the deceased, however warned that till each physique is returned, Israel is not going to withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip.
A world activity drive involving the U.S., Qatar and Egypt has been fashioned to assist Israel get well the our bodies of the deceased, however the White Home didn’t reply to Fox Information Digital’s questions concerning what position the U.S. will play or if there will likely be American boots on the bottom aiding the search.
An settlement was reached in a single day after mediators from the U.S., Egypt and Qatar labored for days with Hamas and Israeli officers to hash out particulars of the peace settlement, although it stays unclear if there have been any adjustments made to Trump’s unique 20-point plan.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, left, and Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., converse to members of the media following a gathering with US Home Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, not pictured, on the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., US, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg through Getty Pictures)
FATHER OF YOUNGEST AMERICAN HOSTAGE HOLDS OUT SLIVER OF HOPE AFTER TRUMP SECURES GAZA PEACE DEAL
Stories over the weekend recommended Hamas objected to the calls that it fully disarm – although in alternate it might even be granted amnesty and a path out of Gaza to an accepting third celebration nation ought to they select to depart – and Leiter was unable to make clear whether or not Hamas has formally conceded to the disarmament phrases.
“We hope it proceeds in response to the president’s plan,” Leiter stated. “We assume, having lengthy expertise with Hamas and Islamic Jihad and these terrorist organizations, that there are going to be glitches alongside the way in which.
“Look, they are going down. That is mainly a give up on Hamas’s half. They do not prefer it one bit, and they are going to do no matter they’ll to attempt to present that they are nonetheless related,” the ambassador warned.
Individuals collect in Hostages Sq. throughout a rally as a participant shows an indication itemizing hostages’ names following the Israel-Hamas peace deal. (Dana Reany/Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board)
Disarmament shouldn’t be part of the primary section, which entails the entire return of all hostages, the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops to a chosen line as agreed to by Israel and Hamas, and the discharge of almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, together with 250 of whom are serving life sentences for terrorist offenses, together with homicide.
The second section would contain additional withdrawal of Israeli forces in coordination with the entire disarmament of Hamas and demilitarization of the enclave. A world “peace physique” headed by Trump would even be established to start the method of rebuilding the Gaza Strip.
“We have put all the main target now on the primary section,” Leiter stated, whereas acknowledging that Hamas has made feedback suggesting it is not going to disarm and the second section of a peace deal might as soon as once more collapse.
A smoke plume billows following Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip as seen from northwest of Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, on Oct. 9, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto through Getty Pictures)
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“However that is a part of the plan – that is very clearly a part of the president’s plan. That was the purpose set out by Prime Minister Netanyahu from the outset, that Hamas is disarmed, that Gaza is de-radicalized and demilitarized.
“We will not return right into a state of affairs the place we’ve Jihadi militants sitting at our border, or else we have not achieved something,” the ambassador stated. “That is performance-based. They disarm, they’re disarmed if crucial, after which Israel withdraws.”
