Israel threatens to resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas fails to free hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will resume military operations in the Gaza Strip if the Palestinian Hamas movement does not release hostages by noon on February 15.

“If Hamas does not return our hostages by noon on Saturday, February 15, the cease-fire will end, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated,” Netanyahu declared following a four-hour security cabinet meeting, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

The report specifies that Hamas is expected to release nine Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement. However, tensions have escalated as the Israeli military has been reinforcing its forces in the Gaza Strip, calling up additional reservists in what the IDF described as preparations “for various scenarios.”

Meanwhile, Hamas leader Abdel Malik al-Houthi warned that the Houthis, part of Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement, are prepared to attack Israel should it violate the ceasefire and resume hostilities in Gaza.

On February 10, Hamas announced it was postponing the scheduled release of Israeli hostages, citing Israel’s alleged failure to comply with the ceasefire terms. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz denounced this decision, calling it “a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the hostage release deal.”

The ceasefire, which began on January 19, is set to last 42 days in its first phase. Under the agreement, Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages, while Israel is to release approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas reignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Israel swiftly responded with retaliatory airstrikes, escalating hostilities in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova