New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning to Hamas, threatening to resume military operations in the Gaza Strip if all Israeli hostages are not released. This ultimatum comes amid escalating tensions and accusations of ceasefire violations by both sides.
The fragile ceasefire, which facilitated the release of 21 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, is now in jeopardy. Hamas announced it would postpone the scheduled release of three more hostages on Saturday, accusing Israel of hindering aid deliveries to Gaza. This accusation has further strained the already tense situation, Associate Press reported.
US President Donald Trump has weighed in on the situation, encouraging Israel to demand the release of all hostages rather than adhering to the phased releases outlined in the ceasefire agreement. Trump suggested Israel should abandon the ceasefire entirely if Hamas fails to comply with the demand for full hostage release by Saturday. This intervention has added another layer of complexity to the delicate negotiations.
Following a four-hour meeting with his Security Cabinet, Netanyahu ordered the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to reinforce troops around the Gaza Strip. He also directed officials to prepare for all possible scenarios if Hamas does not release the hostages. It’s unclear whether he specifically demands the release of all hostages or just the three immediately due for release.
Hamas’s decision to postpone the hostage release stems from their claim that Israel hasn’t fulfilled its commitments regarding aid delivery to Gaza, as stipulated in the ceasefire terms.
