voy-newyearpg Israel Open To Extending Ceasefire, But Only If Hostages Are Released

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Photo: X/@gidonsaar Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Photo: X/@gidonsaar

In a key meeting with his European Union counterparts in Brussels, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'arvoy-newyearpg, communicated Israel’s stance on extending the current ceasefire. 

Sa'ar stated that Israel would be open to extending the ceasefire under one condition: the release of additional hostages. According to a statement from his office, Sa'ar emphasised that Israel would not agree to any further extensions unless more hostages were freed.

Pleasure to meet in Brussels with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola @EP_President, a true friend of Israel. I stressed that the Palestinian Authority continues its "Pay-for-Slay" policy to terrorists and their families, as Abbas himself admitted. The E.U.… pic.twitter.com/4IlfeCYnPk

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) February 24, 2025

During discussions with several EU foreign ministers, including those from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Finland, and Slovakia, Sa'ar reiterated Israel’s firm commitment to securing the release of its hostages while adhering to the strategic objectives set at the outset of the conflict.

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“It will not happen without the release of hostages,66br.com” Sa’ar told his European counterparts, as reported by The Times of Israel.

Sa’ar also took the opportunity to urge EU leaders to take a more aggressive stance against Iran. He called for the enforcement of existing sanctions and the imposition of new ones, stressing the need for international pressure on Iran amid the ongoing regional tensions.

Sa'ar also had a meeting with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, in which he expressed concerns over the Palestinian Authority’s controversial "Pay-for-Slay" policy, which compensates terrorists and their families. Sa'ar highlighted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s own admission of this policy, which has been a point of contention with Israel and the broader international community.

Meanwhile, international diplomats have noted that the hostage-release ceremonies held by Hamas throughout the initial phase of the ceasefire have hurt the group's image. The ceremonies, intended to showcase Hamas's continued control over Gaza, have been widely criticized as “humiliating” by both Israel and other international actors. These displays have spurred calls for a halt to further prisoner exchanges unless these practices cease.

According to senior diplomats, the hostage release has spurred increased pressure from the Trump administration on Arab allies to forge a post-war plan for Gaza that would see Hamas removed from power. 

At Stumps, the hosts were 202 runs ahead with six wickets in hand.

While Arab states previously thought the removal of Hamas was unfeasible, recent developments have led to discussions about the possibility of Hamas relinquishing its grip on Gaza, although the prospect of the group surrendering its weapons remains a more difficult issue.

(With agency inputs)voy-newyearpg