Netanyahu says that the fighting in Gaza will resume if the hostages are not released on Saturday

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas on Tuesday that if the hostages are not released by noon on Saturday, the ceasefire in the war in the Gaza Strip will end and the Israeli forces will resume “severe fighting.”

Mr. Netanyahu said that the threat of Hamas on Monday to postpone the next round of hostage publications reached “the decision to violate the agreement.” Although the threat was clear, Mr. Netanyahu did not specify the number of hostages who should be released to stop a renewed war.

The Prime Minister’s office did not mention, when he was asked to clarify the number of hostages that Mr. Netanyahu means.

His statements almost echoed President Trump’s warning on Monday evening to Hamas, who said that all Israeli hostages were not released from Gaza by 12 o’clock on Saturday, then the ceasefire agreement with Israel must be canceled and “all hell will be broken outside.”

Originally, a few hostages were determined on Saturday under the first stage of the ceasefire.

In a video posted after a four -hour meeting with the security cabinet, Mr. Netanyahu said that he and the most important advisers had shocked the meager appearances of three Israeli men who were released last Saturday, in the latest Rahina prison. The exchange required under the ceasefire deal.

Mr. Netanyahu said: “The decision that I have exceeded in the cabinet, unanimously, is: If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday, the ceasefire will end, and the Israeli Defense Army will resume severe fighting until Hamas will be decisively defeated.” In the video, referring to the Israeli Defense Forces.

Mr. Netanyahu also repeated his order issued on Monday evening to strengthen the forces in Gaza and around it, but he did not say specifically that they were planning to restore the lands from which Israel withdrew recently. “This process is currently underway,” said Mr. Netanyahu. “It will be completed as soon as possible.”

In his threat on Monday To delay the next round of the hostages to be released, Hamas accused Israel of violating parts of the ceasefire. This was followed by widespread anger between the Arab countries in the Middle East and even some American allies in Europe due to President Trump’s proposal to transfer about two million Palestinians in Gaza and rebuild the war to the “Riviera in the Middle East” without allowing its former population to return. The forced deportation of the civilian population War crime Under international law.

Sixteen out of 33 Israeli hostages were issued in order to take it in the first part of the deal to be appointed in early March. About 60 other hostagesAnd, who believes that some of them have died, will be released in the second stage aimed at the six weeks that continue.

Reports previously contributed Patrick Kingsleyand Gabi Sobilmanand Natan Odinheimerand Efratar Livni and Aaron Bokman.