Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not release Israeli hostages by Saturday.
His statement follows Hamas’ announcement on Monday that it would not free three Israelis as planned, citing alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s military is prepared to resume “intense fighting” until Hamas is “finally defeated.” The warning raises fears of renewed hostilities after a temporary pause that has seen hostage releases and prisoner exchanges.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed doubt that Hamas would meet the deadline, saying he does not believe the group will comply. On Monday, he urged Israel to “let hell break out” if Hamas fails to release all remaining hostages.
Trump is currently hosting Jordan’s King Abdullah amid tensions over his recent suggestion that U.S. aid to Jordan and Egypt could be withheld if they refuse to cooperate with his plan for Gaza. He has proposed that the Palestinian population be resettled in the two neighboring countries, a suggestion widely rejected in the region.
So far, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been freed by Israel as part of the ceasefire arrangement. In return, Hamas was expected to release 17 Israeli hostages, but Israel believes eight of them are already dead.
The ceasefire agreement was initially seen as a step toward de-escalation, but the latest developments have cast doubt on its longevity. Both sides remain on edge, with Israel signaling readiness to resume its military campaign at any moment.
As the Saturday deadline approaches, international mediators are working to salvage the fragile truce and prevent another wave of violence in the already devastated Gaza Strip.
