Israel has warned it will resume “intense fighting” in Gaza if hostages are not released by the weekend, escalating tensions as the fragile ceasefire agreement faces mounting pressure. The ultimatum, issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, comes as diplomatic efforts struggle to keep the truce intact.
“If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] will resume intense fighting until Hamas is decisively defeated,” Netanyahu declared.
His statement echoed a similar warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has taken credit for brokering the ceasefire. “If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at noon, I would say cancel it and all bets are off let hell break out,” Trump said on Monday.
The ceasefire, which largely halted more than 15 months of hostilities in Gaza, was built on a phased exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. However, the agreement has been strained in recent days, with Hamas postponing the next scheduled hostage release, accusing Israel of failing to honor its commitments regarding aid and humanitarian relief.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri criticized Trump’s remarks, stating they “further complicate matters” and urging all parties to respect the agreement. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Hamas to proceed with the scheduled releases and “avoid at all costs resumption of hostilities in Gaza.”
As the deadline looms, far right Israeli officials have called for an all-out offensive. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged Netanyahu to “open the gates of hell” if all hostages are not returned by Saturday. “No more phases, no more games,” Smotrich declared, advocating for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip and a halt to all humanitarian aid.
In response to the rising tensions, the Israeli military has increased troop reinforcements near Gaza and raised its level of readiness. Families of hostages have staged protests outside Netanyahu’s office, demanding the government secure their loved ones’ return.
The ongoing crisis has drawn reactions across the region. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have attacked Israeli-linked targets in support of Palestinians, warned they are “ready to launch a military intervention at any time in case of escalation against Gaza.” Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, during a visit to Washington, signaled that Egypt is preparing a response to the crisis.
The humanitarian toll continues to grow. Gaza’s health ministry reports at least 48,219 people have been killed in the conflict. A UN report released Tuesday estimates that over $53 billion will be needed to rebuild the devastated enclave and address what it calls a “humanitarian catastrophe.”
With both sides hardening their positions and the ceasefire hanging by a thread, the coming days may determine whether the region moves toward peace or plunges back into war.
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