Israel's Ultimatum to Hamas: Hostage Ceasefire Deal at a Crossroads

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set a firm deadline for Hamas to release Israeli hostages by Saturday noon, warning that the ceasefire agreement will come to an end if the hostages are not returned. This ultimatum follows a tense meeting of Israel's political and security cabinet, where officials discussed the suspension of the hostages' release by Hamas.

Netanyahu emphasized that the Israeli government’s stance is clear: if the hostages are not returned by Saturday, the IDF will resume intense military action until Hamas is decisively defeated. According to the prime minister, the decision to end the ceasefire was unanimous among cabinet members.

Initially, an Israeli official indicated that three hostages would be released on Saturday as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement, with the remaining hostages set to be freed in the coming days. However, following further discussions, it was confirmed that all hostages slated for release in the first phase of the agreement should be freed by Saturday, as per the demand from US President Donald Trump.

In response to Hamas’s delay in releasing hostages, Netanyahu ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to increase their readiness and deploy additional forces inside and around the Gaza Strip. The military confirmed that reservists and extra troops are being sent to the Southern Command in preparation for possible escalation.

The ongoing situation follows a Monday announcement by Hamas stating that it would postpone the release of hostages due to what it claimed were violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel. In light of this, Israel has raised the level of readiness in the region and postponed leave for certain military units.

Despite the political and military tensions, humanitarian aid continues to flow into Gaza. A senior Israeli aid official confirmed that about 400 trucks are entering Gaza daily, carrying essential supplies such as food, medical equipment, and blankets. However, there are strict regulations in place to prevent any items that could potentially be used by Hamas to manufacture weapons, such as metal tent pegs.

The official also emphasized that there is no food shortage in Gaza and that Hamas has been accused of manipulating the distribution of aid. While aid continues to reach the region, delays in distribution and claims of a manufactured humanitarian crisis have added to the complexities of the situation.

As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on Hamas and whether they will meet the demands set by Israel.