Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning, stating that the ceasefire with Hamas will end unless the militant group releases captives by Saturday. In a post on X, Netanyahu emphasized that if Hamas does not comply by noon on Saturday, Israel will resume intense military operations until Hamas is "finally defeated."
The ceasefire, which has been in place for several weeks, has now come under scrutiny after Hamas accused Israel of violating key provisions of the agreement. Hamas officials, including Abu Obeida, spokesman for the group's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, stated that Israel's breaches have led them to cancel the planned release of three additional captives. Obeida affirmed that while Hamas has upheld its obligations, Israel's actions have prompted the group to delay the release of the hostages indefinitely.
Netanyahu, in a series of tweets on Tuesday, blamed Hamas for the collapse of the ceasefire and said he had ordered the Israeli army to "amass forces inside and around the Gaza Strip."
To date, Hamas has released 21 captives in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons as part of the ceasefire agreement. However, tensions are escalating as the deadline approaches for the release of the remaining hostages.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has voiced his support for Israel, urging the country to cancel the ceasefire if all the hostages are not freed by Saturday. Trump is also reportedly pressuring Jordan’s King Abdullah II to take in Palestinians who might be displaced as part of Israel’s broader strategy for Gaza.
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