Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas on Tuesday that if hostages are not released by midday on Saturday, the ceasefire of war in the Gaza Strip would end and Israeli forces would resume “fierce combat.” .
Netanyahu said the threat of postponing the next round of Hamas' hostage release on Monday would amount to a decision violating the ceasefire agreement. The threat was clear, but Netanyahu did not specify how many hostages they must release to stop the new war.
When asked for clarity, the Prime Minister's Office refused to confirm the number of hostages Netanyahu mentioned.
His statement closely reflected President Trump's ultimatum in Hamas on Monday evening. happen. “
Originally, the three Israelis will be released this week in the latest hostage deal mandated by a ceasefire agreement to end the war that began with a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. did. So far, the exchanges have been held on Saturday.
So far, 16 of the 33 Israeli hostages scheduled to be released in the first phase of this ceasefire have been released. Around 60 other hostages, some of which are believed to be dead, were to be released later this spring in the second phase of the deal.
In a video posted after a four-hour meeting with the security cabinet, Netanyahu said he and his top advisors were shocked by the debilitating appearance of the three Israelis who were released last Saturday. Ta.
“The decision I passed in the Cabinet is unanimous, and this is: If Hamas does not return hostages by midday on Saturday, the ceasefire will end and the IDF will be fierce until Hamas is decisively defeated. We're going to resume the fight,” Netanyahu said. The video refers to the Israeli Defense Forces.
Netanyahu also repeated the order issued Monday night to strengthen troops in Gaza and its surrounding area, but specifically said that Israel plans to recapture the territory it recently retreated. It wasn't there.
“This operation is currently underway,” Netanyahu said. “We'll complete it as soon as possible.”
In a statement Tuesday evening, Israeli forces said they were mobilizing reserves among the troops that will become part of the operation.
Hamas did not immediately respond to Netanyahu's statement.
In Monday's threat to delay the release of the next hostage, armed Palestinian groups accused Israel of violating parts of the ceasefire agreement, including slowing down sufficient humanitarian assistance in and around Gaza. did. Israel denied this claim.
After Hamas' 2023 attack, around 1,200 people were killed and 250 were accused of Gaza, Israel fired its territory in an attempt to despise the militants. At least 48,000 Palestinians were killed during the battle, according to Gazan Health Authority, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Millions of Palestinians have also been replaced by enclaves, many returning to abandoned neighborhoods.
Hamas was angry at Trump's proposal, which he announced last week with Netanyahu at the White House, and has repeated several times since – relocating around 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and rebuilding war-torn territory and rebuild it. The Middle Eastern Riviera. ” Trump also said former residents would not be allowed to return. Forced deportation of civilians is a war crime under international law.
Trump says he will “make a deal” to attract Jordan, Egyptians and Palestinians. This is a move that has destabilized both countries and was completely rejected by their leaders.
Trump's proposal sparked widespread rage between Arab countries in the Middle East and American allies in Europe. He also raised concerns in Israel that Netanyahu would end the ceasefire talks and instead have a political escape hatch to return to war.
In response to Netanyahu on Tuesday, a group representing hostage families urged him to continue diplomatic consultations.
“You have decided to bring all of our hostages into the home through agreement,” the Hostages and Missing Family Forum said in a statement. “We must not retreat. Hostages cannot be wasted in captivity.” concluded, “We will soon complete the full negotiation and bring the final hostage back to the fullest urgently.” I did.
The first phase of the ceasefire contract was attacked between Israel and Hamas last month and was set to expire on March 2nd. War, instead, the government urges the troops to continue fighting Hamas.
“Trump is right! Go back and destroy it now!” far-right MP Itamar Ben Gwil said in a social media post Tuesday morning.
Others work in Doha with the US, Egypt and Qatar as intermediaries and hope for continued negotiations to lead to lasting peace.
“Netanyahu, I'm going to Doha,” Opposition leader Ia Rapid wrote on social media on Tuesday. “Take everyone home. Time is running out.”
The fall of the ceasefire monsters rattled world leaders.
“We must avoid a resumption of hostility in Gaza, which will lead to a major tragedy,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote on social media before the cabinet meeting. “I appeal to Hamas to proceed with the planned release of hostages. Both sides must fully comply with their commitment to the ceasefire agreement and resume serious negotiations.”
Report contributed Patrick Kingsley, Gabby Sobelman, Nathan Odenheimer, Ephrat livni and Aaron Boxaman.
