Israeli has threatened to resume hostilities with Hamas if it fails to release Israeli hostages by Saturday. This was contained in a statement by the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday.
Netanyahu warned that the ceasefire in Gaza will end if Hamas does not release Israeli hostages by Saturday.
The threat came after Hamas announced on Monday that it would not release three Israeli hostages as planned this weekend. Hamas cited alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Hamas alleged that Israel had breached the three-week-old ceasefire agreement. Including obstructing crucial humanitarian aid—a claim Israel has rejected.
Following the announcement, BBC reports Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s readiness to resume military action. The Israeli Prime Minister was quoted to have stated that the Israeli forces would “return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated.”
Recall that the United States President, Donald Trump had earlier expressed skepticism over Hamas meeting the deadline. Trump said he does not believe the group will comply.
However, on Monday, Trump was quoted to have urged Israel to “let hell break out” if Hamas fails to release all remaining hostages.
Reacting to Trump’s statement after an intensive four-hour meeting of Israel’s security cabinet on Tuesday, Netanyahu said in a video statement that he “welcomed President Trump’s demand”.
“In light of Hamas’s announcement regarding its decision to violate the agreement and not release our hostages, last night I instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to amass forces inside – and surrounding – the Gaza Strip.
“This action is being carried out at this hour and will be completed very soon.”
“If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end. And the IDF will resume intense fighting until the final defeat of Hamas,” Netanyahu added.
Under the current ceasefire agreement, 17 Israeli hostages were due to be released in the first phase. Though Israel has stated that eight of them are already dead. In exchange, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been freed by Israel.