Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark warning to Hamas: release all Israeli hostages by Saturday at 10 a.m. GMT, or face a resumption of full-scale military operations.
Following a series of hostage releases in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Netanyahu’s ultimatum demands the immediate return of all remaining Israeli captives. He declared that failure to comply will lead to the immediate end of the current ceasefire and a renewed, intense Israeli military offensive in Gaza.
While Hamas has released 21 hostages, they have halted further exchanges. Hamas accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement by hindering the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, restricting humanitarian aid, and delaying negotiations for the next phase of the truce.
Netanyahu’s announcement came after a unanimous Security Cabinet decision to recommence a full-scale war if Hamas fails to meet the deadline.
“Given Hamas’s violation of the agreement and refusal to release our hostages, I ordered the IDF to deploy forces within and around Gaza,” Netanyahu stated.
Israel launched its military operation in Gaza following a Hamas attack that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken in October 2023. The Israeli retaliatory strikes have caused an estimated 47,500 Palestinian deaths and over 111,500 injuries, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The UN reports that 90% of Gaza’s population has been internally displaced.
Hamas official Bassem Naim called the potential displacement of Palestinians “ethnic cleansing” and a “crime against humanity.”