Netanyahu Warns Gaza Ceasefire Will End if Hostages Are Not Released.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the press at the U.S. Capitol courtesy image.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the current ceasefire in Gaza will end if Hamas does not release Israeli hostages by Saturday. Speaking on Monday, Netanyahu reiterated that the Israeli military is prepared to resume “intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated” should the militant group fail to comply.

Hamas had initially planned to release three Israeli hostages this weekend as part of the ceasefire agreement. However, the group announced on Monday that it would not proceed with the releases, citing alleged Israeli violations of the truce. The ceasefire, which has facilitated the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody, remains in jeopardy as both sides accuse each other of failing to uphold their commitments.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation, stating on Monday night that Israel should cancel the ceasefire and “let hell break out” if Hamas does not release all remaining hostages. On Tuesday, he expressed skepticism that Hamas would meet the deadline. Trump’s remarks come amid diplomatic tensions, as he hosts Jordan’s King Abdullah. The meeting follows his recent suggestion that U.S. aid to Jordan and Egypt could be withheld unless they cooperate with his proposed plan to take control of Gaza and resettle its population in their territories.

As of now, a total of 17 Israeli hostages remain to be released under the first phase of the ceasefire, according to Israeli authorities. However, Israel claims that eight of those hostages have already died. Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been freed by Israel as part of the ongoing negotiations.

With the Saturday deadline looming, the fate of the ceasefire remains uncertain, as both Israel and Hamas prepare for the possibility of renewed hostilities.

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