Israel Warns of Major Consequences if Hostages Are Not Released by Hamas

As the deadline approaches for the potential release of Israeli hostages by Hamas, Israeli officials have issued stark warnings, stating that "all hell will break loose" if the hostages are not released as agreed upon. With the deadline set for Saturday, February 10, Israel is maintaining maximum pressure on Hamas to fulfill its part of the ceasefire deal.

The exact number of hostages Israel expects to be freed has not been disclosed, with officials keeping the information vague. One Israeli official emphasized that the pressure on Hamas is intense, and they are closely monitoring the situation. “We are putting maximum pressure on Hamas to see how they will respond,” said the official.

US Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, also echoed the urgency, saying that President Trump expects significant action by Saturday at noon, warning that failure to deliver the hostages would lead to severe consequences. “If all the Gaza hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 p.m., I would say cancel the ceasefire. Let all hell break loose; Israel can override it,” Trump stated.

The initial phase of the hostage release deal, set for Saturday, involves the release of three Israeli hostages. However, tensions are rising, as Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri has indicated that while Hamas remains committed to the agreement, it will not release all hostages on Saturday.

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has made it clear that if Hamas does not comply, a new and more intense phase of conflict will begin. “The new Gaza war will be different in its intensity compared to before the ceasefire and will not end without decisively defeating Hamas and returning the hostages,” Katz warned.

The situation is compounded by ongoing international efforts, with US President Trump discussing the crisis with Jordan's King Abdullah. The White House has made it clear that the objective is to secure the release of all hostages, including American citizens held by Hamas.

As talks continue in Cairo, Qatar, and Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are bracing for potential escalations. The IDF has mobilized both regular forces and reservists, preparing for a worst-case scenario in case Hamas does not honor the agreement.