Gaza: Hamas has declared that the release of Israeli hostages is contingent upon a complete cessation of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. In a statement released on Saturday, the group emphasized that there can be no exchange without a halt to what it calls Israeli "hostilities." Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting this framework, saying his stance is prolonging the war and exacerbating the suffering of both Israeli captives and Palestinian civilians.

The statement comes amid ongoing international mediation efforts. According to two Egyptian sources, Israeli and Egyptian officials have exchanged draft proposals aimed at establishing a ceasefire and arranging a hostage-prisoner swap. The Egyptian plan reportedly includes the release of five to eight Israeli hostages—both living and deceased—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, reopening of the Rafah border crossing, and the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Hamas has responded positively to the Egyptian proposal, while mediators from Egypt and Qatar are working to bridge differences with a separate plan put forward by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. Key issues, such as the number of hostages and prisoners to be released, remain points of contention.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has signaled an escalation in military operations across Gaza. Gallant stated that Israel is nearing its final push to dismantle Hamas, free the hostages, and bring the war to a close. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the completion of the "Morag Corridor," a military route designed to encircle Rafah city and cut it off from Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18—ending a two-month ceasefire—it has imposed a complete blockade on humanitarian aid entering Gaza. According to Gaza's health authorities, the renewed attacks have killed 1,563 Palestinians and injured over 4,000 others as of Saturday.