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VOA VIEW -- Is the opinion of "Voice of Americans", which is a private entity not affiliated in any way with the United States government or any of its agencies. The opinions expressed here, in whatever medium or format, are not necessarily the opinions of the ownership or advertisers of this web site - 0415.

     The first three hostages held by Hamas and some prisoners held captive by Israel are scheduled to be exchanged following the cessation of hostilities Sunday.  The deal will not last long.

     The Israeli government on Friday approved the cease-fire agreement with Hamas that ends fighting in Gaza and could see Hamas release three Israelis hostages in exchange for Israel releasing several Palestinians held prisoner in Israeli jails on Sunday morning, the Washington Post reported. The cease-fire officially takes effect at 8:30 a.m. local time Sunday in Gaza, which is 1:30 a.m. EST. The war began Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel and took hostages.

     Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a nationally televised address on Saturday night warned his nation will not move forward until Hamas gives a list of the hostages to be released.  "If we need to resume fighting we will do so in new ways and we will do so with tremendous force," Netanyahu said. "We maintain our right to resume the war if necessary with the backing of the U.S."

      Netanyhau said the negotiated cease-fire terms are based on three fundamental principles.  The first was affirming Israel's right to resume the war with U.S. backing if negotiations failed regarding the cease-fire's second phase. "If we need to return to fighting, we will do so in new ways," Netanyahu said, "and we will do it with great strength."  The second was increasing the number of living hostages returned to Israel among the initial 33 to be released during the first phase of the cease-fire.  He said the number of living hostages to be released among the first 33 nearly doubled during negotiations.  The third negotiating principle was maintaining Israel's control of security buffer zone surrounding Gaza, including the Philadelphi Corridor, which is a narrow strip of land separating Gaza and Egypt

     "This agreement is ... the result of the courage of our fighters in battle," Netanyahu said, "and it is also the result of our steadfast stand on Israel's vital interests. A tough stand in the face of heavy pressures, both from within and abroad."