Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not release hostages by Saturday: Netanyahu

Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not release hostages by Saturday: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza will end if hostages are not released by Saturday noon. “The military will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated,” he said in a video statement.

Netanyahu’s warning came a day after Hamas announced it would stop releasing Israeli hostages until further notice over “Israeli violations” of the ceasefire agreement.

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Hamas started releasing hostages last month under the ceasefire agreement that involved the freeing of Palestinian prisoners by Israel in return. Hamas was scheduled to release more Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and other Palestinians held in Israeli detention. However, Hamas then alleged that Israel delayed Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza and also stopped humanitarian aid from entering the strip.

Israel has denied withholding aid supplies and claims it has fired on individuals who ignored warnings to stay away from Israeli troop positions.

A day after Hamas’s statement, Netanyahu retaliated by threatening to end the Gaza ceasefire deal.

“In light of Hamas’ announcement of its decision to violate the agreement and not release our hostages, last night I ordered the IDF to gather forces inside and around the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said, speaking after a meeting of his security cabinet.

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“This operation is being carried out at this time. It will be completed in the very near future,” he said in a statement.

Israel’s ally the US has also warned that “all hell will break out” if Hamas doesn’t release hostages by Saturday noon.

Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Monday, President Donald Trump said, “As far as I’m concerned, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock, I think it’s an appropriate time, I would say, cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out.”

Published By:

Poorva Joshi

Published On:

Feb 11, 2025

CosmoNews

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