Synopsis
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns that if hostages held in Gaza are not returned by Saturday, the ceasefire with Hamas will be canceled, leading to renewed fighting. This decision follows a Cabinet meeting and comes after Hamas announced a delay in the handover of hostages, citing Israel's non-compliance with ceasefire terms.Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu indicated a ceasefire cancellation if hostages are not returned by Saturday.
- The decision was unanimously supported by his Cabinet.
- Hamas postponed the hostages' handover, citing Israel's violations of the ceasefire.
- The Israeli military is ramping up readiness and troop presence near Gaza.
- Trump issued a similar ultimatum regarding hostages.
Jerusalem, Feb 12 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that if the Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza are not released by Saturday, the ceasefire with Hamas will be terminated, prompting Israel to recommence intensive fighting in the conflict-ridden region.
In a video address, Netanyahu remarked on Tuesday that this decision was unanimously endorsed by his Cabinet Ministers following a four-hour meeting that afternoon, according to Xinhua news agency.
Under this resolution, "if Hamas does not return our hostages by noon on Saturday, the ceasefire will be terminated, and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will resume intense combat until Hamas is thoroughly defeated," he stated.
All members of Israel's Cabinet expressed their approval for US President Donald Trump's Gaza takeover strategy and his ultimatum concerning the ceasefire, the Prime Minister added.
Netanyahu's comments surfaced a day after Hamas declared that the scheduled handover of hostages for Saturday would be delayed until further notice.
On Monday, Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas), stated that over the past three weeks, the leadership of the resistance had observed Israel's failure to comply with the terms of the ceasefire.
Consequently, the handover of hostages will be postponed until further notice and until Israel adheres to the agreement and compensates for prior weeks retroactively, Obeida noted.
"We affirm our commitment to the terms of the agreement as long as the occupation also adheres to them."
In response, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz remarked on Monday that Hamas' announcement constitutes "a complete violation of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement."
Katz indicated he had instructed the IDF to "prepare at the highest level of readiness for any potential scenario in Gaza and to protect communities near the enclave."
The Israeli military reported on Tuesday that it would bolster its forces near the Gaza Strip and call up reservists following the Israeli Cabinet's decision to nullify the ceasefire with Hamas if the Israeli hostages are not returned by Saturday.
A military spokesperson confirmed in a statement, "It was decided to reinforce the area with additional troops, including reservists."
The spokesperson emphasized that this decision was made "in accordance with the situational assessment."
Furthermore, the spokesperson stated, "The reinforcements and mobilization of reservists are being enacted to prepare for various scenarios."
Trump also issued an ultimatum to Hamas on Monday, asserting that if all Israeli hostages are not released from Gaza by noon on Saturday, he would propose nullifying the ceasefire agreement and permitting "all hell to break loose."
These events transpired following the return of an Israeli delegation from Qatar, where indirect discussions were held regarding the subsequent phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, amidst ongoing regional and international outrage against the recent remarks made by Trump and Netanyahu concerning Gaza.
On February 4, Trump unveiled a contentious plan to take control of the Gaza Strip and relocate Palestinians from the enclave during a joint press conference with Netanyahu in Washington.
Just two days later, Netanyahu suggested in an interview with Israel's Channel 14 that "Saudis could establish a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they possess ample land there."
On Monday, when asked in an interview with Fox News if the Palestinians currently residing in Gaza, who under Trump's proposal will face forced relocation to facilitate the rebuilding of the enclave, would "have the right to return," Trump replied, "No, they wouldn't."
In response to Trump's and Netanyahu's statements, numerous countries have expressed their opposition to displacing Palestinians from their homeland and their support for the two-state solution.
Under the existing ceasefire, which began on January 19 after 15 months of conflict, 21 hostages — 16 Israelis and five Thais — were released from Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees freed from Israeli prisons. During the initial phase of the agreement, lasting six weeks, 33 Israeli hostages and approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees are anticipated to be released.
