The Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not return Israeli hostages by midday on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.
He warned of a return to “intense fighting” if they are not released.
Hamas said on Monday it would postpone Saturday’s scheduled release of hostages after accusing Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire.
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Mr Netanyahu made his announcement after a “four-hour discussion in the political-security cabinet”.
He said they “all expressed outrage at the shocking situation of our three hostages who were released last Saturday”.
“If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon – the ceasefire will be terminated, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated,” the Israeli leader said.
Donald Trump said in response that Hamas should release all remaining hostages, rather than just the three planned.
Mr Netanyahu said the cabinet “welcomed” Mr Trump’s demand “and we all also welcomed the president’s revolutionary vision for the future of Gaza”.
It’s currently unclear if the Israel leader is also calling for all the hostages to be released at the weekend.
President Trump, who’s hosting Jordan’s king at the White House today, has reiterated his idea to move all Palestinians out of Gaza and rebuild the Strip.
He’s said the two million-plus population would not be able to return but would have a better future. The proposal has been widely dismissed by the West and Arab neighbours.
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