Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that the ceasefire with Hamas will be canceled if the Israeli hostages held in Gaza are not returned by Saturday. In a video statement released on February 12, Netanyahu emphasized that this decision was made after a four-hour meeting with his Cabinet Ministers. He stated that, unless the hostages are released by noon on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would resume “intensive fighting” to decisively defeat Hamas. Netanyahu’s remarks follow the recent announcement from Hamas, which stated that the planned handover of hostages, originally scheduled for Saturday, would be delayed due to Israel’s failure to adhere to the ceasefire terms.
In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to prepare for heightened readiness and increase its forces near Gaza, including the mobilization of reservists. These actions come after a broader regional and international outcry over both Netanyahu’s and US President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding Gaza. On February 4, Trump proposed a controversial plan to take over the Gaza Strip and displace Palestinians, a suggestion that has faced widespread criticism.
The ongoing ceasefire, which has been in place since January 19, was initially agreed upon after 15 months of war. Under the ceasefire, 21 hostages, including 16 Israelis and five Thais, were released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement involves the release of 33 Israeli hostages and approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
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