Israel has warned that it will resume full-scale military operations in Gaza if Hamas does not release more hostages by Saturday, further straining the fragile ceasefire agreement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued the ultimatum on Tuesday, saying that failure to comply would result in “intense fighting” until Hamas is “decisively defeated.”
The warning echoed a similar threat from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said on Monday that “hell” would break out if all hostages were not freed by the deadline.
The ceasefire agreement, which has been in place for over a month, allowed for the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners in phases.
However, Hamas has accused Israel of failing to uphold its commitments under the deal, citing issues with aid deliveries and recent Palestinian casualties. As a result, Hamas has postponed the next scheduled hostage release.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a full-scale military operation if all hostages are not returned. “No more phases, no more games,” he declared, demanding the complete occupation of Gaza.
Israel warns of renewed fighting if hostages are not released by Saturday.
Hamas delays hostage release, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire.
Tensions rise as troops mobilize and international pressure mounts.
The Israeli military has already increased troop reinforcements and raised its alert level in preparation for a possible escalation.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged both sides to uphold the agreement and avoid renewed violence. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who support Hamas, have warned they are ready to intervene militarily if fighting resumes.
The ongoing conflict began with Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.
Since then, Israeli airstrikes and ground offensives have devastated Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 48,000 Palestinian deaths.
As the ceasefire hangs by a thread, families of hostages in Israel and civilians in Gaza fear what comes next.
