Important development: The final draft of a hostage deal has been submitted to Hamas, and officials report that the group has 24 hours to respond. This moment could mark a critical turning point in the ongoing conflict. If the agreement moves forward, the first phase will see 34 hostages—including women, children, and elderly or ill men—freed over the course of 42 days. The release is expected to begin one week after the truce starts. While this may appear to be a positive step, we must remain vigilant. Hamas has betrayed Israel’s trust too many times in the past. This potential breakthrough does not resolve the deeper issues of Gaza, and the risk of unexpected challenges remains ever-present. |