Israel has delivered a stark warning to Hamas, cautioning of severe consequences if the militant group does not adhere to the ceasefire terms, putting the fragile truce in jeopardy.
On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a grave ultimatum, stating that “all hell will break loose” if Hamas fails to release the hostages as scheduled this weekend. His statement comes amid frantic diplomatic efforts to salvage the agreement.
Ceasefire Agreement Under Threat
The latest dispute emerged after Hamas accused Israel of not fulfilling its obligations under the ceasefire deal, particularly regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid, including tents and other essential supplies. In response, Hamas threatened to postpone the next round of hostage releases.
Reacting to Hamas’ stance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a firm warning, vowing to resume military operations if the group does not comply. He also ordered Israeli forces to reinforce their positions around Gaza, despite their prior withdrawal from certain areas under the truce.
Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from different factions within his government. Some of his allies are advocating for an immediate resumption of military action, while others emphasize the urgent need to secure the release of hostages. The frail condition of three hostages freed last Saturday has intensified public outrage, with demands for stronger government intervention to secure the safe return of others.
Defense Minister Katz reiterated that the ceasefire deal would collapse if Hamas reneges on the hostage release. “If Hamas stops releasing hostages, then there is no deal, and there is war,” he warned. Katz further stated that the “new Gaza war” would not end until Hamas was decisively defeated.
Trump’s Controversial Stance on Gaza
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has weighed in on the situation, proposing that Palestinians be relocated from Gaza to facilitate U.S.-led reconstruction efforts. His comments sparked backlash from Arab nations, particularly Egypt and Jordan. After meeting Trump at the White House, Jordan’s King Abdullah II reaffirmed his strong opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians.
Trump also dismissed concerns about the financial costs of rebuilding Gaza, stating that the U.S. would not need to “buy Gaza” as the war-torn region could be taken “without cost.” He argued that such a move would create jobs in the Middle East. Additionally, Trump called for Hamas to release all hostages at once rather than in phases, a stance that aligns with Israel’s push for more hostages to be freed this Saturday.
During a White House press conference, Trump criticized Hamas, calling the group “bullies” and questioning their tactics. “They want to act tough, but we’ll see how tough they really are,” he remarked.
Ceasefire Talks Continue Amid Uncertainty
The current ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, temporarily halted the 16-month-long conflict in Gaza. Under its initial phase, Israel agreed to allow significant humanitarian aid into Gaza, while Hamas committed to releasing 33 hostages taken during its October 7 attack. So far, 21 hostages have been freed, eight are believed to have died, and Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in return.
Despite growing tensions, there are indications that negotiations are making progress. An Egyptian official involved in the mediation process stated that both sides are close to a resolution, with Israel reportedly agreeing to increase aid deliveries, including shelters and heavy equipment. However, Hamas insists that Israel has yet to fulfill all of its promises.
Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi expressed cautious optimism, saying there were “positive signals” that three additional hostages would be released as planned on Saturday. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Kassem dismissed Israeli and U.S. threats, urging Israel to honor the ceasefire terms.
As the situation remains volatile, the coming days will determine whether the fragile ceasefire holds or if Israel follows through on its warnings of renewed military action.
