Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that military operations in Gaza will resume unless Hamas releases the captives by Saturday. The fragile ceasefire, which began on 19 January, is now under threat, with Hamas officials accusing Israel of breaching key terms of the agreement. In response, Hamas has suspended the planned release of three additional captives, intensifying tensions between the two sides.

Netanyahu has declared that if the captives are not returned by midday Saturday (10:00 GMT), the ceasefire will be terminated, and Israeli forces will launch a renewed offensive aimed at the ‘complete defeat’ of Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas maintains that Israel has repeatedly violated the agreement, justifying its decision to delay further prisoner releases. Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, stated that while Hamas has honoured its commitments, Israeli breaches have forced them to reconsider their stance.

The crisis has drawn international reactions, with former US President Donald Trump urging Israel to abandon the ceasefire if all 70 remaining captives are not freed. He warned that failure to comply would result in severe consequences, stating that “all hell is going to break loose.” A senior Hamas official dismissed Trump’s remarks, insisting that adherence to the agreement by both parties is the only way forward. Trump, meanwhile, is hosting Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House, increasing pressure on Arab nations to accept Palestinians as part of a controversial resettlement plan.