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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned that IDF will resume the war in Gaza if Hamas does not release nine hostages by the deadline of noon Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | File Image/Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned that IDF will resume the war in Gaza if Hamas does not release nine hostages by the deadline of noon Saturday.
He added that the Gaza ceasefire deal will fall apart unless all nine hostages in the first phase of the deal are freed in the coming days.
“If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated,” said Netanyahu in a video message posted on X.
אם חמאס לא יחזיר את חטופינו עד שבת בצהריים – הפסקת האש תיפסק, וצה”ל יחזור ללחימה עצימה עד להכרעה סופית של החמאס pic.twitter.com/4Cx30kHGvN— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) February 11, 2025
Netanyahu’s statement followed a cabinet meeting where Israeli officials discussed Hamas’ claims and the terror group’s refusal to release the nine remaining hostages, who are part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.
“Hamas violated the agreement,” one Israeli official said, “and therefore there will not be progress in continuing carrying out the agreement or in negotiations on the second stage without the return of our hostages.”
“The cabinet expects the release of all nine hostages of the first phase within days,” the official was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel.
Hamas Delays Hostage Release
Hamas clearly pointed out on Monday that it would delay the release of nine Israeli hostages until further notice, accusing Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
A spokesman for the armed wing of Hamas said that the group is postponing the next scheduled release of Israeli hostages, blaming Israel for the action.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump urged Israel to cancel the ceasefire and “let all hell break out” unless Hamas release all remaining hostages by Saturday.
“But as far as I’m concerned, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday 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,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
The truce that went into effect on January 19 largely halted more than 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip and saw five groups of Israeli hostages freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli custody.
