JERUSALEM / CAIRO - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday evening that "if we have to return to war, we will do so in new ways and with great force."

In a video statement on the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, set to take effect Sunday at 8:30 am local time (0630 GMT), Netanyahu noted that both outgoing US President Joe Biden and incoming President Donald Trump have given full backing to Israel's right to return to fighting if negotiations on the second phase of the agreement are "futile."

Netanyahu noted that in a conversation with him on Wednesday evening, Trump emphasized that the first phase of the agreement is a temporary ceasefire.

Netanyahu stated that Israel will maintain the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza borders, adding, "Not only will we not reduce the forces there, we will even increase them a little." He noted that Israeli forces will be deployed inside the Gaza Strip and will close it off from all sides.

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"We will not allow weapons to be smuggled in, nor allow our hostages to be smuggled out," Netanyahu said.

He added that most of the 33 Israeli hostages, who are due to be released starting Sunday in the first phase of the agreement, are alive.

Meanwhile, Egypt announced on Saturday that Israel will release more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Hamas releasing 33 Israeli detainees during the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

During the first phase of the ceasefire, extending for 42 days, Hamas will release 33 Israeli detainees in exchange for Israel releasing more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners, the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

It emphasized the commitment of the mediators to ensure the full and timely implementation of the agreement in all its three stages.

Egypt expressed hope that this ceasefire agreement will mark the beginning of a path towards alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people, calling upon the international community, particularly the United States, to support and consolidate the agreement and the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.

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Furthermore, Egypt urged the international community to provide all necessary humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people and to develop an urgent plan for the reconstruction of Gaza.

Egypt stressed the importance of accelerating the development of a roadmap to rebuild trust between the two sides, noting that this roadmap should facilitate a return to the negotiating table and address the Palestinian cause within the framework of the two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.

This solution aims to establish an independent Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the statement.

Egypt, in coordination with Qatar and the United States, will establish a joint operations room headquartered in Egypt, the statement said, adding that this room will be responsible for monitoring the exchange of detainees and prisoners, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the movement of individuals after the reopening of the Rafah crossing.

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Israel and Hamas have agreed on a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal after intensive mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

Since Oct 7, 2023, Hamas and Israel have been engaged in a fierce conflict that has killed over 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza and caused unprecedented destruction. The conflict began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing Israelis and taking hostages.