Quotes
We look them in the eye and tell them they have no privilege to do anything other than bring back the hostages,
says the father of senior IDF commander Asaf Hamami whose body is still held in Gaza by Hamas
The United States must compel the occupation to uphold the ceasefire agreement as signed, rather than expanding the cycle of violence. Pressuring the occupation and preventing it from evading the agreement's requirements is the only way to protect the lives of the captives and ensure their safe return to their families."
Hamas Political Bureau Member Izzat al-Rishq
Just because they talked, neither means that the Americans accepted Hamas' demands, or that Hamas accepted the American demands. There was direct engagement for a very specific purpose. That certainly doesn't mean that the U.S. sees Hamas as their primary counterparts in this issue. So the leverage they have is that they're actually there and in control on the ground and that they still hold these captives and the remaining captives."
Non-Resident Fellow, Middle East Council on Global Affairs Mouni Rabbani to Newsweek
The barbaric Hamas terrorists will not win — and there will be consequences,
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said
I believe they have an opportunity, but it is slipping away quickly. What happened with the Houthis yesterday, what happened with our strike, ought to inform as to where we stand with regard to terrorism and our tolerance level for terrorist actions—and I would encourage Hamas to get much more sensible."
The U.S. Mideast envoy warned
The FBI is committed to establishing the Joint Task Force October 7 to continue the FBI's investigative and victim assistance efforts related to the horrific acts of terror committed by Hamas,
FBI Director Kash Patel said in the news release
I thought the proposal was compelling. The Israelis were informed about it and advised about it beforehand. After waiting for about two or three days for an answer from Hamas — which is their usual mode — we got a non-acceptable response."
Witkoff told CNN's "State of the Union" with Jake Tapper on SundayThe negotiating team is now meeting in Egypt with senior Egyptian officials to discuss the issue of the hostages,
a statement said
The fastest way for Hamas to reach a solution is to free the prisoners,
Hallas, from Gaza City, told AFP
It's so hard for me to think about what they're (hostages) going through right now because I know that feeling,
freed Israeli captive Omer Shem Tov said in a newly released video.jpg)
The delegation held fruitful discussions with our Egyptian brothers, focusing on ways to advance the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in light of Hamas's acceptance of the updated American proposal
reportedly ... put forward by US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, a Hamas official said, referring to the fiveThe delegation asked mediators and guarantors, the United States, to compel the occupation (Israel) to implement the humanitarian protocol, immediately allow humanitarian aid into Gaza Strip, and begin the second phase of negotiations,
the official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak publicly on the Gaza truceThe occupation has committed a horrific massacre in the northern Gaza Strip by targeting a group of journalists and humanitarian workers, in a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement,
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement
This heinous crime comes in the context of the systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists,
a Palestinian Journalists Syndicate statement saidPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an in-depth discussion this evening on the issue of the hostages, with the participation of the negotiating team and the heads of the security establishment.
In a statement on X, his office said
You want to sacrifice our children for the pleasures of power,
said Itzik Horn, father of hostage Eitan and freed hostage Iair
President Trump has made it clear that Hamas will either release hostages immediately, or pay a severe price."
The U.S. officials have ratcheted up the pressure on the terrorists, saying
We want to solidify the ceasefire agreement and force (Israel) to implement its terms,
Abdul Latif al-Qanou told AFP, accusing Israel of "delaying" its enforcement
The ball is in Israel's court,
a Hamas spokesman said