Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the ceasefire with Hamas will end if the group does not release hostages by Saturday noon. Speaking after a meeting with Israel’s political and security cabinet on Tuesday, Netanyahu stated that if Hamas fails to meet the deadline, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will resume intense military operations to decisively defeat the group.
The cabinet unanimously agreed on this course of action. Israel expects three hostages to be freed on Saturday, with the remaining hostages to be released over the following days. However, a senior Israeli official later clarified that all hostages designated for phase one must be released by Saturday, as per the agreement.
During the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu expressed outrage at the condition of the hostages already released, emphasizing the urgency of their return. The prime minister reiterated that Israel’s resolve to continue the fight against Hamas remains strong, should the ceasefire fail to hold.
