Israel has issued a stark ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the release of three hostages by Saturday noon, or risk the resumption of military operations in Gaza. The warning comes as negotiations to maintain a fragile ceasefire remain in jeopardy.
Hamas, for its part, has insisted it remains committed to the truce, which took effect on January 19. However, the Palestinian militant group refused to release hostages on Saturday, citing what it described as Israeli violations of the agreement.
“We are keen to implement [the ceasefire] and oblige the occupation to fully abide by it,” said Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif al-Qanou, adding that mediators were pressing Israel to resume the exchange process.
But Israeli officials made it clear that any delay in releasing captives would lead to immediate retaliation.
“If those three are not released, if Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end,” warned Israeli government spokesman David Mencer.
Hostage Exchanges and Escalating Tensions
The ceasefire agreement has so far led to a series of hostage-prisoner exchanges, with Israeli captives being released in return for Palestinian detainees. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the deal, raising concerns that the conflict could soon reignite.
The situation is further complicated by U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that “hell” would break loose if Hamas failed to release all the remaining hostages by Saturday. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed this sentiment, vowing that if fighting resumed, the new Gaza war “will not end” until Hamas is defeated and all hostages are freed.
Katz also suggested that a renewed military campaign could pave the way for the implementation of Trump’s controversial Gaza proposal, which includes relocating Gaza’s 2.4 million residents to Egypt or Jordan. The plan has sparked global outcry, with critics arguing it violates international law.
Regional Reactions and Uncertainty
Trump’s proposal has been met with fierce resistance from Jordan and Egypt, whose leaders reaffirmed their opposition during a phone call on Thursday.
Meanwhile, in Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have threatened new attacks on Israel if the U.S. and its allies proceed with any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.
On the ground, tensions remain high. At Rafah, Egypt’s border crossing with Gaza, bulldozers and trucks carrying mobile homes were seen waiting to enter the devastated enclave. However, Israeli authorities blocked their entry, citing security concerns. Hamas has previously accused Israel of obstructing aid deliveries, particularly the heavy equipment needed to clear the massive amounts of rubble left by airstrikes.
Uncertain Future
Despite the heated rhetoric, some analysts believe neither Israel nor Hamas wants to abandon the ceasefire completely.
Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, suggested that the escalating tensions may be a negotiating tactic rather than a true breakdown of talks.
“They’re just playing power games,” Zonszein said.
Nevertheless, frustration is growing in Israel, where families of hostages have staged protests, demanding that the government uphold the ceasefire agreement. Dozens of demonstrators blocked a highway near Tel Aviv, calling for urgent action to secure the release of their loved ones.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has been overseeing the hostage-prisoner exchanges, urged both parties to stick to the ceasefire, warning that “hundreds of thousands of lives depend on it.”
As the deadline looms, all eyes remain on Gaza, where a single decision could determine whether peace holds—or if war resumes.