Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Tuesday that the Israeli army will resume attacks in the Gaza Strip if Hamas does not release the hostages before noon on Saturday.
Although he did not clarify whether he was referring to all the hostages or just a small group that was supposed to be released under a previous agreement, Netanyahu assured that the ceasefire would end if Hamas fails to deliver on time.
“If Hamas does not release our hostages before noon on Saturday, the ceasefire will end, and the Israeli army will resume intense fighting until Hamas is completely defeated,” declared the prime minister.
Trump Also Pressures Hamas
Netanyahu’s remarks came just after former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that if Hamas does not release the hostages before Saturday, a “hell” would break loose in the Gaza Strip.
Since January 19, Israel and Hamas have maintained a truce thanks to Qatari mediation, supported by the United States and Egypt. As part of this agreement, Hamas was supposed to release hostages kidnapped in October 2023 in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas’ Response: “Threats Do Not Work”
Following Netanyahu and Trump’s statements, Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas leader, responded in an interview with AFP:
“Trump must remember that there is a truce agreement that both parties must respect, and that is the only way to bring the prisoners back.”
He also stated that the language of threats “has no value” and only complicates the situation further.
Hamas Delays Hostage Release
On Monday, February 10, Hamas announced that the release of the hostages was suspended indefinitely, accusing Israel of failing to uphold the ceasefire.
Despite this decision, the group said it was still willing to continue the hostage release if Israel fulfilled its part of the deal.
What Happens Next?
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for more than 15 months. Although the ceasefire allowed for prisoner exchanges, tensions continue to rise. If no agreement is reached before February 15, it is possible that fighting will resume with even greater intensity in the Gaza Strip.
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