Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to convene the Security Cabinet for discussions on Phase II of the hostage deal, despite earlier assurances that the meeting would take place upon his return from Washington.
As Netanyahu boarded his flight back to Israel on Sunday morning, reports indicated that the Cabinet would not meet until Tuesday or possibly Thursday.
Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu board the jet back to Israel
Upon his arrival Sunday evening, the government will instead hold a session focused on investigating the failures of October 7, following a deadline set by the High Court of Justice.
The delay has angered the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which had demanded an immediate meeting in light of the distressing condition of hostages Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levy and Eli Sharabi upon their release Saturday morning. The three men, held captive for 491 days, appeared visibly emaciated and weak in Hamas' televised handover, leading to renewed calls for urgent action.
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“How, after the horrifying images of Eli, Ohad and Or, is the Cabinet not convening immediately?” the Forum said in a statement. “What more proof is needed for decision-makers to grasp the critical urgency of bringing back the remaining 76 hostages?”
Meanwhile, an Israeli delegation arrived in Doha for further negotiations, now joined by Hostage and Missing Persons Coordinator Gal Hirsch and a senior Shin Bet official. However, the delegation is authorized only to continue Phase I of the deal, not to discuss Phase II.
Fifth round of hostage releases
According to the agreement, Phase II negotiations were supposed to begin last week. However, Netanyahu, who has so far refrained from formally sending a delegation, has cited his meetings with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff as the initiation of those discussions.
With 76 hostages still in captivity, 16 have been released under the current agreement, along with five Thai nationals freed outside the deal. Phase I has three rounds remaining, with 17 hostages still set for release—eight of whom are no longer alive. The final stage will also see the release of longtime Israeli captives Hisham al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu.
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Yossi and Eli Sharabi, both kidnapped on October 7; Eli returned home, Yossi died in Hamas captivity
(Photo: Courtesy)
Public and political outrage over the conditions of the freed hostages has intensified. Netanyahu, still in Washington at the time of their release, issued his first statement nearly half a day after the images surfaced. “Once again, we have seen the monstrosity of Hamas,” he said. “These are the same monsters who massacred our citizens and tortured our captives. Their blood is on their hands. We will do everything to bring back all our hostages and ensure their security.”
However, senior Israeli officials said that the government was not surprised by the hostages’ deteriorated condition, despite the widespread public shock. “The political leadership was fully aware of their state, including those released today,” an official said. “Those familiar with the facts were not surprised at all.”
Hostage families also confirmed that they had been warned about the hostages’ deteriorating condition. Tal Levy, brother of freed hostage Or Levy, said in a radio interview Sunday that officials had informed his family months ago that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was deliberately starving male hostages. “I don’t think he [Or] would have survived another month,” Levy said.