The expected release of the six hostages on Saturday is due to the change Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made in the negotiating team, an Israeli official said on Wednesday, according to Israeli media.
"The achievement of the agreement to release six of our hostages alive in a single phase, alongside the return of four hostages' bodies tomorrow, is the result of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to change the composition of the negotiation team," the official was cited as saying.
The negotiating team change in question is the removal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, according to reports. Bar's former deputy, M., is reportedly currently leading the talks on behalf of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) in Cairo.
Other sources involved in the negotiations responded shortly after that "Hamas initiated the move to ensure it received the compensation—terrorist prisoners and humanitarian aid—and did not want to risk the collapse of the agreement."
The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement in response, noting "The claim by "sources in the negotiations" that Hamas was the one responsible for advancing the release phase is a new peak of absurdity and an echo of Hamas propaganda.
"Already two weeks ago, the prime minister defined the objective of securing the release of the remaining hostages from the first phase in a single phase instead of two," the PMO stated, adding, "The understandings were reached as a result of the prime minister’s firm stance, his directive to reinforce IDF forces around and inside Gaza, and the ultimatum issued by US President Trump.
The remark by an Israeli official was met with criticism from politicians from the opposition. National Unity Party Leader Benny Gantz said on X/Twitter Bar was "an honest, moral, and strong security man – who contributed greatly to the return of our hostages. He also bears responsibility for the disaster of October 7, as well as for the fighting and activity that followed."
Gantz: Netanyahu 'dismantling us from within'
Addressing the prime minister, Gantz said he "attacks the heads of the security establishment again and again, he is dismantling us from within and weakening us in these turbulent times when we are required to be at our strongest and most united against our enemies.
"I support [Bar] and all the heads of the security branches who are taking part in the negotiations to return our hostages.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid wrote on X that the prime minister "continues to blame others for his failures and continues to abuse the families of hostages for politics. This is about human rights, and he's looking for credit. He should stop hiding behind anonymous briefings and make sure to bring all the hostages home."
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement in response to the trading of blame, demanding to "Stop this behavior immediately! You saw the pictures just like us. You heard the testimonies of the released hostages just like us.
"The hostages have no time for these briefings, and there will be no other time. This is about their lives and that of their families.
"The families demand that you understand the magnitude of the hour and expedite everyone's return by fully implementing the agreement," the forum added.
