Israel Issues Ultimatum: Potential ‘New Gaza Conflict’ Looming if Hostages Are Not Freed by Saturday
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has issued a warning that the nation will continue its military operations in Gaza if Hamas does not adhere to the ceasefire agreement and release Israeli hostages by Saturday.
“The upcoming Gaza conflict will differ in intensity from the previous one prior to the ceasefire, and it will not conclude without the defeat of Hamas and the release of all hostages,” he stated.
“This course of action will also enable the realization of US President Donald Trump’s vision for Gaza,” Mr. Katz remarked, referring to Trump’s proposal for the US to take control of the Palestinian territory.
These statements come as a Hamas delegation is currently in Cairo for negotiations regarding the Gaza truce, with the group rejecting “American and Israeli threats” while demanding that Israel comply with the ceasefire terms.
“A delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya, head of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, has arrived in Cairo and commenced discussions with Egyptian officials,” the Palestinian group noted in a statement.
Palestinian children are observed among the debris of buildings in Deir Al Balah.
Additionally, the statement conveyed that the delegation, spearheaded by Hamas’s chief negotiator, is overseeing “the execution of the ceasefire agreement”.
A senior Hamas official informed AFP that the delegation “will explore methods to resolve the current crisis and ensure the (Israeli) occupation’s adherence to the agreement”.
Yesterday, Israel cautioned that it could recommence operations if hostages are not released by Saturday, mirroring a warning from US President Donald Trump, who stated that “hell” would break loose if Hamas did not release “all” Israeli hostages by that deadline.
A sixth hostage-prisoner exchange under the ceasefire agreement is slated for Saturday, although Hamas announced earlier this week that it was postponing the release, citing Israel’s failure to permit the entry of essential humanitarian aid into Gaza.
A diplomat familiar with the ongoing talks revealed that mediators are engaged with both Israel and Hamas to resolve the dispute and ensure adherence to the long-sought agreement.
“Mediators are in discussions with both Israel and Hamas to address the existing issues and guarantee both parties adhere to the ceasefire and hostage release agreement,” the diplomat stated to AFP on condition of anonymity.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem expressed that the group demands Israel “adhere to the agreed humanitarian protocol”.
Palestinians are visible in Khan Younis this morning, an area severely affected by Israeli bombardment.
“The Israeli occupation is evading the implementation of several provisions of the ceasefire agreement,” Mr. Qassem indicated in a separate statement.
“Our stance is unequivocal; we reject the language of American and Israeli threats. Israel must commit to executing the terms of the ceasefire agreement” to secure the release of its hostages, he noted.
The spokesperson added that discussions with mediators are ongoing to ensure the agreement’s fulfillment.
“We have received assurances from mediators that efforts are being made to compel the occupation to uphold the ceasefire terms in Gaza,” Mr. Qassem said.
A Palestinian source familiar with the matter told AFP earlier that mediators from Egypt and Qatar were “working intensively” to address the crisis surrounding the ceasefire agreement.
Qatar and Egypt are described as “working intensively” to alleviate the crisis surrounding the ceasefire agreement.
“Mediators from Qatar and Egypt are in contact with the American side,” a Palestinian source noted.
“They are working diligently to ease the crisis and compel Israel to implement the humanitarian protocol outlined in the ceasefire agreement while initiating negotiations for the second phase,” the source added.
Earlier, Egypt’s foreign ministry announced intentions to “present a comprehensive vision for the reconstruction” of Gaza that guarantees Palestinians remain on their land.
This statement followed a day after US President Donald Trump suggested he could “conceivably” cut aid to Egypt and Jordan if they decline to cooperate with his plan to take control of Gaza and displace its population to their territories.
The Egyptian foreign ministry expressed its “hope to cooperate” with Mr. Trump’s administration on this issue, aiming for “a fair resolution of the Palestinian cause”.
It stated that its blueprint would facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza “in a clear and decisive manner that ensures the Palestinian people remain on their land and align with their legitimate and legal rights”.
Hamas commended Egypt and Jordan for “rejecting any plans of displacement” for the over two million residents of Gaza.
The group expressed gratitude for the positions taken by their “brothers in Jordan and Egypt in opposing the displacement of our people, affirming that there is an Arab initiative to rebuild Gaza without displacing its inhabitants”.
Read more: Israel vows ‘intense fighting’ if hostages not released Latest Middle East stories
The ceasefire agreement was facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States following extensive efforts during former US President Joe Biden’s administration.
As part of the initial phase of the agreement, the two conflicting parties were to commence indirect discussions for the second phase 16 days after the first phase’s activation on 19 January.
To date, these discussions have yet to commence, despite there having been five hostage-prisoner exchanges as arranged.
Hamas has successfully released 16 Israelis in these five exchanges, whereas Israel has liberated hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
The sixth exchange is set for Saturday, but Hamas announced earlier this week that it was postponing the release of hostages, highlighting Israel’s failure to facilitate the entry of critical humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Since that announcement, tensions have increased further.
“Conditions remain challenging and are becoming increasingly complex,” a Hamas source stated.
“Israel’s ongoing obstruction and lack of commitment to initiating the second-phase discussions underscore the occupation’s intent to disrupt the ceasefire agreement and resume aggressive actions, as there seem to be no deterrents for the occupation.”
