Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel may withdraw from the Gaza ceasefire and has instructed the military to prepare for renewed combat if Hamas does not proceed with the next scheduled hostage release on Saturday.
Hamas has accused Israel of failing to uphold its end of the ceasefire agreement, citing restrictions on aid deliveries, and has threatened to delay the release of three hostages. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has pressured Hamas to release all remaining hostages, predicting that the militant group would not meet the deadline.
Since the ceasefire began, Hamas has released 21 hostages in exchange for over 730 Palestinian prisoners. The second phase of the agreement is meant to secure the release of all remaining captives and extend the truce indefinitely. However, Trump’s statements about the hostage releases and his vision for post-war Gaza have added uncertainty to the fragile ceasefire.
It remains unclear whether Netanyahu’s threat applies only to the three hostages scheduled for release or all remaining captives, which would mark a shift from the ceasefire terms. His office has aligned with Trump’s demand for a full release by Saturday and has ordered the military to mobilize forces around Gaza.
Trump has also suggested that Israel should end the ceasefire if all hostages are not freed.
In response, Hamas dismissed his warning, insisting that Israel must first uphold its obligations under the truce.
Meanwhile, Trump is urging Jordan to accept Gaza refugees permanently as part of his broader plan for reshaping the Middle East. During a meeting in Washington, Jordan’s King Abdullah II remained silent on the matter, despite the kingdom already hosting millions of Palestinian refugees.
As the initial six-week ceasefire phase nears its end, Hamas has so far committed to releasing 33 hostages, while Israel has pledged to free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
With the possibility of renewed fighting in early March, Israel could face new challenges, as many displaced Palestinians have returned to their war-torn homes, complicating future military operations.
