People gathered in Tel Aviv, Israel, to protest on February 10, 2025. CNN
Hamas has warned that the upcoming hostage release in Gaza, scheduled for Saturday, will be postponed indefinitely, claiming that Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement.
Israel responded by calling this move a "complete violation" of the ceasefire and instructed its military to prepare for any potential developments in Gaza.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israel to cancel the ceasefire and take strong military action if Hamas does not release all remaining hostages by Saturday. His demand exceeds the original agreement between Israel and Hamas, adding further tension to the fragile situation.
Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida stated on social media that the release of hostages will be delayed “until further notice” unless Israel fully complies with past commitments under the ceasefire. However, Hamas later clarified that the release could still happen as planned if Israel meets its obligations.
The group accused Israel of multiple violations, including preventing displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, attacking civilians, and restricting humanitarian aid. They also claimed that Israel has delayed the entry of medical supplies and shelters, further worsening conditions in the region.
A diplomat involved in the ceasefire negotiations revealed that Qatar and the United Nations had tried to send temporary shelters to Gaza, but Israel rejected their request. Israeli officials have not commented on this claim.
Israel Prepares for Possible Military Response
In reaction to Hamas' threat, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to be on high alert. He described Hamas' statement as a direct breach of the ceasefire and instructed forces to be ready for any scenario in Gaza.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have since increased their presence in southern Israel and postponed leave for combat troops. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an emergency security meeting to address the situation.
During a press conference, President Trump stated that if all hostages are not released by noon on Saturday, Israel should abandon the ceasefire. He warned, "If Hamas does not comply, all bets are off, and all hell will break loose." When asked to clarify, Trump simply said, "They will find out."
Trump also expressed doubts about how many hostages were still alive, suggesting that Hamas may have already executed some captives.
His remarks follow other controversial statements regarding Gaza, including his suggestion to permanently displace Palestinians and redevelop Gaza as a business hub. His proposals have drawn international criticism, with experts warning that forced displacement would violate international law and destabilize the region.
Growing Public Pressure in Israel
Hamas’ threat has added to rising tensions in Israel, where the public is increasingly anxious about the fate of hostages. Recently released captives appeared weak and malnourished, intensifying calls for immediate action.
Protests erupted in Tel Aviv, with demonstrators accusing Netanyahu’s government of mishandling the ceasefire deal. Some believe Israeli officials are jeopardizing hostage negotiations, making their return uncertain.
Despite Hamas’ warning, mediators continue efforts to resolve the dispute. Previous ceasefire disagreements were resolved through diplomatic channels, leaving hope that negotiations may still succeed.
Hostage Exchange So Far
Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas has released 16 Israeli hostages, with an additional 33 planned for release in phases. However, eight of those captives are now believed to be dead.
Currently, Hamas still holds 73 hostages from the October 7 attack, along with three others taken in 2014. In return for the releases, Israel has freed 183 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were detained without charges.
As tensions rise, the fate of future hostage releases and the ceasefire remains uncertain.
