Israel’s Prime Minister orders troops to mass inside and around Gaza as ceasefire teeters on the brink, with Hamas refusing to release hostages as scheduled

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stark ultimatum to Hamas, warning that if the Palestinian militant group does not release Israeli hostages by Saturday noon (10:00 GMT), the fragile ceasefire in Gaza will collapse, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will resume “intense fighting until the final defeat of Hamas.”

Netanyahu’s declaration follows Hamas’s announcement that it was postponing the release of three scheduled hostages, citing alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. The prime minister responded by ordering Israeli forces to amass inside and around Gaza, raising tensions and placing the three-week-old truce in jeopardy.

Hamas, however, has denied breaking the ceasefire terms and instead accused Israel of obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza—a claim Israel has rejected. The group insists it remains committed to the truce but warns that Israel’s actions could derail ongoing negotiations.

Conflicting messages have emerged from Israeli officials regarding Netanyahu’s demand. While some reports suggest Israel will accept the release of the three designated hostages to maintain the ceasefire, Transport Minister Miri Regev stated on X (formerly Twitter) that all remaining hostages—currently believed to be 76—must be freed by Saturday.

Trump’s Controversial Intervention
The crisis has drawn in former U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Israel to abandon the ceasefire if Hamas fails to return all hostages. Trump’s remarks—”Let hell break out”—have sparked international backlash, with Hamas denouncing his rhetoric as “racist” and accusing him of advocating ethnic cleansing.

Trump has also proposed a highly contentious post-war plan for Gaza, suggesting that the U.S. should take control of the territory and relocate its two million Palestinian residents. His idea has been categorically rejected by the Palestinian Authority, Arab states, and the United Nations, which warned that forced displacement would be a violation of international law.

Ceasefire Deal in Jeopardy
The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., has facilitated the release of 16 Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. However, with only 17 more Israeli hostages scheduled for release in the coming weeks, the deal’s next phase—entailing a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent truce—now hangs by a thread.

Since the conflict began following Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, more than 48,210 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with 70% of Gaza’s buildings either damaged or destroyed and the majority of its population displaced.

As the Saturday deadline looms, Arab mediators are scrambling to salvage the truce. Egypt has pledged to present a “comprehensive vision” for Gaza’s reconstruction, distancing itself from Trump’s controversial proposal. Meanwhile, Hamas has signaled a willingness to release hostages if mediators can ensure Israel upholds its commitments.

Whether Netanyahu will follow through on his threat remains uncertain, but with Israeli forces mobilising and diplomatic efforts intensifying, the fragile truce is on the brink of collapse. If hostages are not freed, a return to full-scale war seems inevitable.