Netanyahu Threatens to End Gaza Ceasefire If Hostages Are Not Released

Wednesday 12 February 2025 - 09:08

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza will end if Hamas does not release Israeli hostages by midday on Saturday. His statement follows Hamas’ announcement that it would delay the scheduled release, accusing Israel of violating ceasefire terms.

After a four-hour cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated that his government unanimously supports resuming military operations if Hamas fails to comply. "If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will be terminated, and the IDF will resume intense fighting until Hamas is defeated," he declared. Israeli forces have been ordered to prepare for action around Gaza.

The U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling for Hamas to release all remaining hostages immediately. Netanyahu’s cabinet endorsed Trump’s stance and his broader vision for Gaza’s future.

So far, five hostage-prisoner exchanges have occurred, leading to the release of 21 hostages—16 Israelis and five Thais—alongside over 730 Palestinian detainees. The latest swap included three Israeli men who appeared severely malnourished after 16 months in captivity. Hamas insists it remains committed to the ceasefire if Israel upholds its obligations, while also accusing Israel of ceasefire violations.

Trump, in a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, reiterated his proposal to relocate Gaza’s population and rebuild the area under U.S. oversight. However, this idea has been widely rejected by Western and Arab nations, which favor a two-state solution. Meanwhile, the war, which began after Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, continues to claim thousands of lives in Gaza, with widespread destruction across the region.