The fragile Gaza ceasefire hangs in the balance as Israel issues a stern ultimatum: Hamas must release all hostages by Saturday, or risk reigniting the conflict. This high-stakes deadline raises the question: will Hamas comply, or will the region be plunged back into violence?

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has issued a warning to Hamas, stating that the ceasefire in Gaza will end and intense fighting will resume if the Palestinian group does not release the hostages by Saturday noon.

Netanyahu also mentioned that he had instructed Israeli forces to position themselves around and within Gaza in response to Hamas’s decision to delay the release of additional hostages indefinitely.

Netanyahu did not clarify whether he was calling for the release of all 76 remaining hostages or only the three set to be freed on Saturday. However, a minister stated that he meant “everyone.” 

On Monday, Hamas accused Israel of breaching the three-week-old ceasefire agreement, including obstructing crucial humanitarian aid—an allegation Israel has denied.

The group’s decision to postpone this weekend’s scheduled hostage release led U.S. President Donald Trump to suggest that Israel cancel the agreement entirely and “let hell break out” unless “all of the hostages” were freed by Saturday.

After a four-hour meeting of Israel’s security cabinet on Tuesday, Netanyahu stated in a video message that he “welcomed President Trump’s demand.” 

He further said: “In response to Hamas’s announcement of its decision to violate the agreement and refuse to release our hostages, I instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] last night to deploy forces inside and around the Gaza Strip.”

“This action is being carried out at this hour and will be completed very soon.”

He then delivered an ultimatum, stating that it had the unanimous approval of the security cabinet.

“If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end the IDF will resume intense fighting until the final defeat of Hamas.”

Following Netanyahu’s statement, Hamas asserted its commitment to the Gaza ceasefire deal but accused Israel of failing to “abide by its commitments.” 

The Palestinian militant group claimed that Israel was “responsible for any complications or delays” in the hostage release process. 

Hamas also rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposals regarding Gaza, condemning his remarks as “racist” and insisting that his plan to “expel” Palestinians from the region would not succeed.