Many Israelis feel that freeing the hostages cannot happen if the government refuses to come to terms with Hamas and pursues its policy of trying to eliminate the group militarily.

Awsat's report is based on sources from the terrorist groups. Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, are considering a plan to transfer hostages to Gaza City in order to deter the IDF's planned offensive and occupation of the area,

President Donald Trump backed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take over Gaza, saying hostages held in the enclave will only be returned when "Hamas is confronted and destroyed"

Hamas said that Israel's plan to relocate residents from Gaza City constitutes a "new wave of genocide and displacement" for hundreds of thousands.