Israel's fragile ceasefire with Hamas is under threat as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that fighting in Gaza would resume if the militant group does not release hostages by Saturday. The ultimatum came after Hamas postponed further hostage releases, citing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, including restrictions on humanitarian aid and displaced persons returning to northern Gaza.
Following a four-hour meeting of Israel's security cabinet on Tuesday, Netanyahu said he had the backing of his ministers to take military action. "If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon [10:00 GMT], the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will resume intense fighting until the final defeat of Hamas," he said in a video statement.
It remained unclear whether Netanyahu was demanding the release of all 76 remaining hostages or only the three due to be freed under the terms of the ceasefire agreement this weekend. Some Israeli officials suggested that releasing nine living hostages from the first phase of the deal could suffice, while others, including Transport Minister Miri Regev, echoed President Donald Trump's demand that "everyone will be released" by Saturday.
The crisis escalated after Trump called for the ceasefire to be scrapped if Hamas failed to release all Israeli captives. "Let hell break out," the president said, accusing Hamas of violating the agreement. His remarks have been widely criticized by Arab nations and the United Nations, which warned that escalating hostilities would worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Hamas officials pushed back against Trump's demands and Israel's warnings, maintaining that the group remains committed to the ceasefire but that Israeli actions have disrupted the agreement. "We are doing the maximum to avoid any obstacles, any challenges, and therefore we are ready to hand over prisoners next Saturday if the situation is rectified through the mediators," said senior Hamas official Basem Naim.
Negotiations involving the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt remain ongoing as mediators attempt to salvage the ceasefire agreement. Arab nations have increased pressure on Hamas to follow through with its commitments, while Egypt announced plans to present a "comprehensive vision" for the reconstruction of Gaza without displacing its population-a contrast to Trump's proposal for resettling Palestinians outside the enclave.
The ceasefire agreement, which began on January 19, was designed to last six weeks, allowing for the phased release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. So far, 16 hostages have been freed, along with five Thai nationals released outside the terms of the deal. However, the fate of 76 remaining captives remains uncertain, with Israeli officials stating that at least 35 are believed to be dead.
The ceasefire has allowed hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza and facilitated the entry of aid convoys carrying food, medicine, and essential supplies. However, Hamas has accused Israel of delaying the return of civilians and obstructing deliveries of urgently needed relief, allegations that Israeli officials have denied.
As tensions mount, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have heightened their readiness, reinforcing the Southern Command with additional troops and reservists. Israeli analysts suggest the government is attempting to maintain a delicate balance-aligning with Washington's position while keeping the ceasefire intact for now.
The broader political stakes continue to complicate the situation. Netanyahu has praised Trump's "revolutionary vision" for post-war Gaza, which includes the permanent relocation of the enclave's 2.3 million residents to facilitate U.S.-led redevelopment. The proposal has been condemned by Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and neighboring Arab nations as "racist" and a violation of international law. The United Nations has warned that any forced displacement of Gaza's population would amount to ethnic cleansing.
Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages have expressed deep concern over the prospect of renewed fighting, fearing that military escalation could jeopardize the safe return of their loved ones. "We must not go backwards. We cannot allow the hostages to waste away in captivity," said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group representing relatives of those still held in Gaza.
Despite Israel's military threats and Trump's calls for an immediate end to the ceasefire, regional leaders continue diplomatic efforts to prevent a full-scale return to war. Egyptian officials announced they would host an emergency Arab summit on February 27 to discuss the unfolding crisis, while Jordan's King Abdullah reiterated his opposition to Trump's plan, offering instead to accept 2,000 Palestinian children from Gaza who require urgent medical care.
