Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thank US President Donald Trump for his leadership and firm stance that helped in the hostages' release on Saturday morning, in a statement on Saturday night.
"The combination of the reinforcement of IDF forces around the Gaza Strip and President Trump's firm stance led to the release of three of our hostages today - despite Hamas's earlier refusal to release them," the statement said. "The Prime Minister also appreciates the President's full support for Israel's decisions regarding the Gaza Strip going forward."
Trump said on Saturday that Hamas failed to release all the hostages by 12 p.m. on Saturday, a deadline he imposed after the terror group threatened not to release any hostages, and the US "will back" whatever decision Israel makes in response.
"Hamas has just released three Hostages from GAZA, including an American Citizen. They seem to be in good shape! This differs from their statement last week that they would not release any Hostages," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Israel will now have to decide what they will do about the 12:00 O’CLOCK, TODAY, DEADLINE imposed on the release of ALL HOSTAGES. The United States will back the decision they make!"
Hamas threatened to withhold hostage releases, alleging that Israel violated the ceasefire agreement - an accusation denied by Israel.
Shortly after, the IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi said that the IDF is making "immense efforts" to bring all the remaining hostages back to Israel "while simultaneously preparing offensive plans."
"Alongside the great excitement that comes with the return of every hostage, we, in the IDF, remember our duty to bring them all back," he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have a telephone conversation late on Saturday evening with Defense Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, the heads of the negotiating team, and senior defense officials to discuss Israel's position on Trump's ultimatum, Walla reported.
Otzma Yehudit Chairman Itamar Ben Gvir addressed Netanyahu Saturday evening regarding Trump's statement and called on him to "stop missing opportunities."
"They didn’t return everyone! A right-wing government must adopt President Trump’s words and unleash hell on Hamas," Ben-Gvir declared.
Returning to war?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously demanded, in response to Hamas's threat, that the hostages be released or Israel would return to war.
"If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will resume intense fighting until Hamas is decisively defeated," Netanyahu said on Tuesday, adding the decision had been reached unanimously by cabinet members.
Despite Hamas's threats, the terror group released three hostages on Saturday - Alexander Sasha Troufanov, Sagui Dekel Chen, and Iair Horn.
Sagui Dekel Chen is a US-Israeli citizen.