Cairo - Hamas said on Thursday it will release the next set of Israeli hostages as planned and pave the war to resolve major disputes threatening the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The militant group said the Egyptians and the Kathari mediators have confirmed that they will work to "remove all obstacles" and will implement a truce.

The statement shows that three Israeli hostages will be released on Saturday. Israel did not immediately comment on Hamas' announcement.

Hamas' move should allow the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to continue for the time being, but its future remains.

Hamas had threatened to postpone the next hostage for Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of failing to meet its obligations permitted in tents and shelters, as well as other alleged breaches of truce. With the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israel threatens to renew its offensive if the hostages are not released.

Hamas said his delegation had talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo and was in contact with the Qatar Prime Minister to increase access to shelters, medical supplies, fuel and heavy equipment to remove rubble from entering Gaza.

Egypt-owned state-owned Qahera TV is close to the country's Ministry of Security Services, reporting that Egypt and Qatar have successfully settled the dispute. The two Arab countries served as key mediators for Hamas and helped broker a ceasefire, which took effect 15 months after the war ended.

Egyptian media also played videotapes showing trucks carrying temporary housing and bulldozers on the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing Gaza. They reported that the truck headed to Israel's inspection area and then crossed Gaza.

Trump introduces more uncertainty

In the coming weeks, the truce faces even greater challenges. The first phase is scheduled to end in early March, and no substantive negotiations have been conducted in Phase II, where Hamas will release dozens of hostages in exchange for the war.

Trump's proposal to evacuate about 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and settle in other countries further doubt the future of the truce. The plan was welcomed by Israel but strongly rejected by Palestinian and Arab countries that refused to accept any influx of refugees. Human rights groups say that under international law, this could constitute a war crime.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right allies have called for a resumption of the recent historical movement of the war after the first phase.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when militants led by Hamas rushed into Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and kidnapped about 250 people. More than half of the deals with Hamas or other agreements have been released, eight have been rescued, and dozens of bodies have been recovered.

The captives were one of Hamas’ only bargaining chips, and if the war was thought to resume, it might be difficult to get the team to commit to further issuance.

Trump sent a different signal about his opinion on Gaza.

He received honors for promoting a ceasefire, which arrived a few days after more than a year of negotiations mediated by the Biden administration. But he also expressed doubts about the way the deal was developed, saying it depends on whether Israel wants to resume the war while pledging to continue U.S. military support.

The hostages of 73 people have not been released, about half of them are considered dead. Almost all the remaining hostages were men, including Israeli soldiers.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the war killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, mainly women and children, not to say how many fighters there were. Israel said it has killed more than 17,000 militants, but provided no evidence.

Israel's offensive destroyed much of Gaza. At its peak, the battle displaced 90% of the region's 2.3 million people. Thousands have returned home since the ceasefire was called, although many have found only rubble and buried human remains and unexploded ordnance.

A "new war" may be worse

Israeli Defense Minister Katz responded to Trump, saying Wednesday that if Hamas stops releasing hostages, "all hell will collapse." He said the “new Gaza War” would not end until Hamas was defeated, which would allow Trump’s vision of mass displacement to take place.

Israel has far fewer hostages left in Gaza and will have more freedom of movement militarily.

It will also face restrictions from the United States, the major U.S. military patron. While providing important military and diplomatic support, the Biden administration occasionally urged Israel to allow more aid and at one point suspended some weapons. It also stated that its Palestinian population should not be permanently displaced.

Trump lifted restrictions on arms transfers and his administration is urging $7 billion worth of weapons approved by Joe Biden.

Trump said Gaza's population should be resettled elsewhere in the region, and wealthy Arab countries have paid the price. He suggested that once the battle was over, Israel would transfer control of Gaza to the United States and then redevelop it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Israel Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the principal partner of Netanyahu's fragile ruling coalition, called for the resumption of the war, the "voluntary immigration" of the large number of Palestinians in Gaza and the Jewish settlements were reestablished.

- Reported from Jerusalem.