 "IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi (center) Shin Bet director Ronen Bar (right) and IDF hostage pointman Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon (left) at a command center, February 15, 2025. Source: Israel Defense Forces")
The Israeli army chief Saturday (February 15) said the IDF was ‘preparing offensive plans’ amid efforts to secure the release of all hostages.
“Alongside the great excitement with the return of each hostage, we remember in the IDF our duty to return everyone,” said Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.
“We are making great efforts to do so while at the same time preparing with offensive plans,” he added.
His comments came after Hamas released three hostages earlier in the day , despite earlier warnings that it may withhold the release owing to an alleged ceasefire violation by Israel.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in response had warned that his nation would return to war if the hostages were not released as per the schedule.
Donald Trump vows to back ‘whatever’ Netanyahu decides
Earlier, US President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social said he would support whatever Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu decides after his deadline for Hamas to release ‘all hostages’ expired on Saturday.
“Hamas has just released three Hostages from GAZA, including an American Citizen. They seem to be in good shape! This differs from their statement last week that they would not release any Hostages,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Israel will now have to decide what they will do about the 12:00 O’CLOCK, TODAY, DEADLINE imposed on the release of ALL HOSTAGES. The United States will back the decision they make!” Trump wrote in his post.
Earlier this week on Monday, Trump had called on Israel to cancel its ceasefire deal with Hamas if all hostages were not released by the group.
Netanyahu had backed the idea and warned his nation would return to war if Hamas fails to release the hostages as originally scheduled.
Hamas releases three hostages
Hamas on Saturday released three hostages abducted by the group during the Oct 7 attack in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners.
Before their release, the hostages–Israeli-American Sagui Dekel-Chen, Israeli-Russian Sasha Trupanov, and Israeli-Argentinian Yair Horn– were paraded on a stage in the southern Gazan city of Khan Yunis. The hostages were also asked to address the crowd before their handover to the Red Cross.
(With inputs from agencies)