Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would pull out of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas and “resume intense fighting” unless the militant group releases its hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip.
Mr. Netanyahu’s demand followed President Trump’s recent threat to let “all hell break out” in Gaza after Hamas threatened to suspend the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian fighters held by Israel.
In a video message late Tuesday, the Israeli leader said he had just finished a four-hour meeting with his security cabinet and received unanimous approval for the next steps.
“If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the [Israeli Defense Forces] will resume intense fighting until the final defeat of Hamas,” Mr. Netanyahu said.
Mr. Trump in his White House remarks appeared to be demanding that Hamas release all of the dozens of Israeli and foreign nationals it still held captive, but Mr. Netanyahu later said Israel was only seeking the release of three prisoners as called for in the drawn-out ceasefire schedule.
Senior Israeli officials expressed outrage after Saturday’s release of Israeli hostages Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami and Eli Sharabi. They appeared gaunt and unsteady after more than 490 days in captivity following their Oct. 7, 2023 abduction from Kibbutz Be’Eri and the Nova music festival.
“In light of Hamas’ announcement regarding its decision to violate the agreement and not release our hostages, last night I instructed the IDF to amass forces inside and surrounding the Gaza Strip,” Mr. Netanyahu said.”This action is being carried out at this hour and will be completed very soon.”
He also welcomed Mr. Trump’s “revolutionary” vision for the future of Gaza, which would mean temporarily housing the Palestinians outside of the region while it is developed under U.S. control.
Since the ceasefire took effect, Hamas has released 21 hostages in a series of five exchanges for more than 730 Palestinian prisoners, the Associated Press reported. A second phase calls for the return of all remaining hostages and an indefinite extension of the truce.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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