Gaza Cease-Fire Imperiled as Netanyahu Threatens to Resume ‘Intense Fighting’

The fate of the Gaza ceasefire and the long-term future of the region were uncertain on Tuesday, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas that if the agreed-upon release of hostages did not occur by Saturday, Israeli forces would resume “intense fighting.”https://svtoday.org/

Netanyahu’s warning followed Hamas’s announcement on Monday that it would delay the next round of hostage releases indefinitely, which he described as a “decision to violate the agreement.”

His statement mirrored President Trump’s demand the previous day, threatening that if all remaining hostages weren’t freed by noon on Saturday, “all hell is going to break out.” However, Netanyahu clarified that he was not demanding the release of all hostages in Gaza—under the ceasefire, only three were expected to be freed on Saturday.

Netanyahu also reiterated an order issued on Monday to bolster Israeli forces in and around Gaza but did not mention plans to reclaim territory from which Israel had recently withdrawn.

“This operation is currently underway,” he said. “It will be completed as soon as possible.”

Analysts speculated that a compromise could still be reached between Israel and Hamas on the hostage releases before Saturday. Another significant challenge looms in March, when the ceasefire is set to end unless Hamas and Israel can negotiate an extension.

Ibrahim Dalalsha, director of the Horizon Center in the West Bank, warned that the current crisis is just a precursor to a much bigger one expected in March.

President Trump reiterated his ultimatum regarding the remaining hostages during a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House, saying that “either they’re out by Saturday at 12 p.m., or all bets are off.”

Trump’s statements this week—ranging from proposing that the U.S. would take control of Gaza and asserting that Palestinians have no right to return—have angered Hamas, confused global leaders, and intensified the chaotic nature of ceasefire negotiations.

Trump has proposed rebuilding Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” and threatened to cut financial aid to Egypt and Jordan unless they accept Palestinians displaced by the rebuilding effort.

In his meeting with King Abdullah, Trump claimed the U.S. had the authority to “take” Gaza and said neighboring countries would absorb Gaza’s residents.

“We will have Gaza,” he asserted. “It’s a war-torn area. We’re going to take it.”

Jordan’s Parliament recently proposed a bill banning the resettlement of Palestinians, but King Abdullah, seeking to protect Jordan’s foreign aid, offered to take in 2,000 Palestinian children suffering from cancer or severe illness. Trump praised the offer as “a beautiful gesture.”

Hamas responded by labeling Trump’s plan to expel Gazans as “ethnic cleansing,” insisting it would not succeed and warning that Palestinians would unite in opposition to any displacement.

Meanwhile, Egypt announced it would present the U.S. with a “comprehensive vision for the reconstruction of Gaza” aimed at ensuring Palestinians remain in their homeland.

The ceasefire agreement, which began last month between Israel and Hamas, is set to expire on March 2. Under its terms, three Israelis were supposed to be released this week as part of a hostage-for-prisoner exchange, a process that typically takes place on Saturdays.

To date, 16 of 33 Israeli hostages have been freed as part of the first phase of the ceasefire. The second phase, scheduled for spring, is set to release about 60 more hostages, some of whom may be dead.

After a four-hour meeting with his security cabinet, Netanyahu expressed his shock at the “emaciated appearances” of three Israeli men released on Saturday.

“If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will resume intense fighting until Hamas is decisively defeated,” Netanyahu declared.

Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by blocking sufficient humanitarian aid, an allegation Israel denied.

The current standoff stems partly from Hamas’s claim that Israel has not honored its commitments in the first phase of the ceasefire, particularly its failure to send hundreds of thousands of tents into Gaza. While Israeli military officials deny the accusations, some sources suggest they are valid.

The dispute over aid could be resolved if Israel allowed more humanitarian assistance to Gaza. However, analysts believe the larger issue lies in the perception that Netanyahu is undermining efforts to extend the ceasefire. Negotiations for such an extension were supposed to begin early last week, but Netanyahu delayed sending a negotiating team to Qatar until this week. The delegation that finally went was seen as unqualified, raising doubts about Israel’s commitment to the truce.

Netanyahu’s spokesman, Omer Dostri, defended the prime minister’s efforts, stating that Israel was working “tirelessly” to secure the return of all hostages and would engage in negotiations once the cabinet’s position was finalized.

Despite the pressure to extend the truce to free the remaining hostages, key members of Netanyahu’s coalition remain focused on defeating Hamas, which they view as a necessary condition for ending the conflict.

Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi explained that the group’s decision to delay the next round of hostages was primarily in response to the aid disagreements but also a reaction to Netanyahu and Trump’s pressure on Gaza’s future.

“There’s an anger among Hamas about the demands of both Netanyahu and Trump that Hamas will be kicked out of Gaza,” said Michael Milshtein, an Israeli analyst of Palestinian affairs.

“The announcement yesterday was a signal that, if these demands continue, there will be several dramatic crises ahead,” he added.