JERUSALEM, Feb 13 (NNN-MA’AN) – Recalcitrant Israeli regime’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that, the ceasefire with Hamas would end “if Hamas does not return our hostages by noon on Saturday.”
“The Zionist IDF (Israel Defence Forces) will resume intense fighting, until Hamas is decisively defeated,” Netanyahu, haughtily said, in a video statement, noting, the move was unanimously approved by his Cabinet ministers during a four-hour meeting earlier in the day.
Netanyahu’s remarks came, a day after Hamas announced that the handover of hostages scheduled for Saturday would be postponed until further notice.
Following Netanyahu’s statement, Hamas said, it remained committed to the ceasefire deal, as long as Israel abides by it. The Israeli regime “bears full responsibility for any complications or delays,” Hamas said in a statement.
Hamas’ decision to delay this weekend’s scheduled release prompted U.S. President Donald Trump, to propose that Israel cancel the agreement altogether and “let hell break out” unless “all of the hostages” were returned by Saturday.
Israel’s entire cabinet allegedly “welcomed President Trump’s demand,” said Netanyahu.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres called early Tuesday to “avoid at all costs the resumption of hostilities in Gaza that would lead to an immense tragedy.”
“Both sides must fully abide by their commitments in the cease-fire agreement and resume serious negotiations in Doha for the second phase,” Guterres said on social media platform X.
On Monday, Hamas accused Israel of violating the three-week-old ceasefire deal, including by blocking vital humanitarian aid.
The handover of the hostages will be postponed until Israel adheres to the deal and compensates retroactively for past violations, said Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades.
In response, the Israeli regime’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz said Monday, that Hamas’ announcement is “a complete violation of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.”
Katz said, he had ordered the IDF to “prepare at the highest level of readiness for any possible scenario in Gaza and to defend the communities near the enclave.”
On Feb 4, Trump announced a controversial plan to take over the Gaza Strip and relocate Palestinians from the enclave during a joint press conference with Netanyahu in Washington.
Two days later, Netanyahu said during an interview that, “Saudis can establish a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have plenty of land there.”
Many Arab and Muslim countries have voiced their opposition to the idea of displacing the Gazans from their homeland.
The ceasefire, which took effect on Jan 19, after 15 months of war, is structured in three six-week phases. Thirty-three Israeli hostages and about 2,000 Palestinian detainees are expected to be released during the first phase.
To date, 21 hostages – 16 Israelis and five Thai nationals – have been released, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Despite the ceasefire, violence has continued. Since Jan 19, at least 118 Palestinians have been murdered, and 822 injured in Gaza, local health ministry said on Tuesday.– NNN-MA’AN
