Tel Aviv Web Desk: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning to Hamas, stating that if hostages are not released by Saturday, Israel will terminate the ceasefire and resume full-scale military operations in Gaza.
In a video statement following an extensive Israeli security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating the existing agreement by halting the release of hostages.
“If Hamas does not release the hostages by noon on Saturday, we will resume our military operations with full force,” Netanyahu declared. “The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will launch intensified strikes on Gaza until Hamas is completely defeated.”
The escalation comes after Hamas announced an indefinite postponement of hostage releases, citing multiple ceasefire violations by Israel. The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, accused Israel of failing to honor key terms of the agreement.
Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Al-Qassam Brigades, stated that over the past three weeks, Israel had committed numerous breaches, including delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza and carrying out airstrikes in violation of the ceasefire.
“Humanitarian aid has also not been delivered to several areas as per the agreed terms, while our resistance forces have fully adhered to the ceasefire,” Abu Ubaida said.
He further asserted that until Israel complies with all conditions and compensates for its violations, the scheduled release of Israeli hostages on February 15, 2025, will remain on hold.
Trump Issues Ultimatum Amid Rising Tensions
Reacting to Hamas’s move, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp ultimatum, warning that the situation could spiral out of control if hostages are not released by the deadline.
“If all Israeli hostages are not freed by noon on Saturday, I will declare the ceasefire agreement null and void,” Trump stated. “At that point, everything will change.”
With tensions escalating and the deadline looming, the possibility of renewed violence in Gaza appears imminent. The coming hours will be critical in determining whether diplomacy prevails or the region plunges back into conflict.
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