Netanyahu calls meeting with defense sector on hostage deal, prisoner release

Netanyahu will meet with Defense Ministry officials on Saturday night to review the prisoner release and hostage deal.

 Israelis demonstrate for the remaining hostages in Hamas captivity to return home, February 22, 2025. (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)
Israelis demonstrate for the remaining hostages in Hamas captivity to return home, February 22, 2025.
(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene a physical meeting in Jerusalem with Defense Minister Israel Katz and other senior officials from the Defense Ministry on Saturday night. 

Additional officials who will attend the meeting include Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Shas Chair Arye Deri, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. 

They will discuss Saturday's delayed release of 600 terrorists, as well as what's next with the hostage deal. 

Israel wants Hamas to release the bodies of the next four hostages earlier than Thursday, when they are set to be released.

Israel says that since Hamas violated the agreement when it didn't return Shiri Bibas' body, the four bodies of slain hostages should be returned earlier. 

Israeli officials are also discussing the extension of the first phase of the hostage deal to include the release of more hostages. 

The six freed hostages are seen ahead or following their release from Hamas captivity in Gaza (credit: CHAIM TZACH/GPO, IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT, MAAYAN TOAF / GPO)
The six freed hostages are seen ahead or following their release from Hamas captivity in Gaza (credit: CHAIM TZACH/GPO, IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT, MAAYAN TOAF / GPO)

On Saturday, six living Israeli hostages were released, the last of the living hostages set to be released in the first phase of the hostage deal.

Hostage deal

Since the beginning of phase one, 29 Israeli hostages have been released, as well as an additional five Thai hostages. 

The first phase of the hostage-ceasefire deal expires on March 1, at which point Israel and Hamas would return to war.