JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a stern warning on Tuesday, stating that if the militant group Hamas fails to proceed with the next scheduled release of hostages on Saturday, Israel will withdraw from the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and resume its fight against the group. Hamas, on the other hand, announced on Monday and reiterated on Tuesday its decision to delay the release of three hostages, citing Israel’s failure to meet the ceasefire terms, including the insufficient provision of tents and aid into Gaza.
In response to the situation, U.S. President Donald Trump supported Israel’s call for the release of the remaining hostages on Saturday, but it remains unclear whether Netanyahu’s threat pertains to all hostages in Gaza or just the three set for release over the weekend. Earlier on Tuesday, an Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that Netanyahu had instructed the army to deploy additional troops in and around the Gaza Strip and to prepare for all scenarios should Hamas fail to release the hostages as promised.
Israel had indicated its intention to bolster defenses along the Gaza border, a decision made during a Security Cabinet meeting led by Netanyahu that lasted four hours and focused on the threat posed by Hamas, potentially putting the three-week-old ceasefire at risk. To date, Hamas has released 21 hostages in a series of exchanges for numerous Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile, President Trump has urged Israel to cancel the ceasefire if all approximately 70 hostages are not freed by Saturday. In response to Trump’s statement, Hamas reaffirmed its position, insisting that Israel has breached the ceasefire terms and warning that the release of hostages will continue only if all parties adhere to the ceasefire agreement.
As tensions escalate, Trump is currently hosting Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House, increasing pressure on the Arab nation to accept refugees from Gaza, potentially permanently, as part of his ambitious plan to reshape the Middle East. Trump’s recent remarks denying any right of return for expelled Palestinians from Gaza have sparked outrage among Palestinians and the international community.
The ceasefire, divided into phases, involves the release of hostages captured in the 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, with both sides committing to prisoner exchanges. With the first phase nearing completion, the more complex second phase demands the return of all remaining hostages and an extension of the truce indefinitely. Should no agreement be reached, the war could resume in early March, presenting Israel with a new challenge as displaced Palestinians have begun returning to their homes in southern Gaza, altering the dynamics of the conflict.
