Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the ceasefire with Hamas would end “if Hamas does not return our hostages by noon on Saturday.”
“The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will resume intense fighting until Hamas is decisively defeated,” Netanyahu said in a video statement, noting the move was unanimously approved by his Cabinet ministers during a four-hour meeting earlier in the day.
Netanyahu’s remarks came a day after Hamas announced that the handover of hostages scheduled for Saturday would be postponed until further notice.
Following Netanyahu’s statement, Hamas said it remained committed to the ceasefire deal as long as Israel abides by it. Israel “bears full responsibility for any complications or delays,” the group said in a statement.
Hamas’ decision to delay this weekend’s scheduled release prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to propose that Israel cancel the agreement altogether and “let hell break out” unless “all of the hostages” were returned by Saturday.
Israel’s entire cabinet “welcomed President Trump’s demand,” said Netanyahu.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called early Tuesday to “avoid at all costs the resumption of hostilities in Gaza that would lead to an immense tragedy.”
“Both sides must fully abide by their commitments in the cease-fire agreement and resume serious negotiations in Doha for the second phase,” Guterres said on social media platform X.