As the fragile Gaza ceasefire faces a deadlock, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has delivered a strong warning to Hamas, stating that “all hell will break loose” if hostages are not released by the weekend.
The ceasefire, which has temporarily halted the conflict, has come under strain due to Hamas’s accusations that Israel failed to uphold key terms of the truce. These include the delivery of humanitarian aid and tents, which Hamas claims led to its decision to delay the latest round of hostage releases.
Despite these tensions, there were reports of “positive signals” regarding the hostages’ release. However, Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi emphasised that formal assurances from Israel were still pending.
Ceasefire at Risk as Talks Continue
An Egyptian mediator involved in the negotiations confirmed that progress was being made, with Israel allegedly agreeing to provide additional humanitarian aid, including heavy equipment and shelters for Gaza. However, Israeli officials have refrained from commenting on specific commitments, maintaining that they have abided by the ceasefire agreement, which has been in effect since January 19.
The current deal requires Hamas to release 33 hostages abducted during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which sparked the conflict. So far, 21 hostages have been freed, while Israel has also released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
The dispute escalated when Hamas threatened to delay further hostage releases. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced military presence around Gaza, warning that any failure to comply with the agreement could reignite the conflict.
Rising Tensions Amid International Pressure
During a visit to a military command center, Katz made it clear that Israel would resume military action if Hamas failed to comply. His comments echoed US President Donald Trump’s hardline stance, which suggested that any delays would lead to renewed hostilities.
Hamas, however, rejected what it called Israel’s “language of threats,” insisting that the ceasefire deal must be upheld, particularly in terms of humanitarian aid. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Kassem criticised Israel’s failure to meet its obligations, accusing it of jeopardising the truce.
The situation has been further complicated by Trump’s controversial remarks about relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighbouring countries—an idea that has faced strong opposition from Jordan and Egypt. The proposal has added another layer of uncertainty to an already fragile ceasefire.
As mediators push to salvage the agreement, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the ceasefire holds or if the region is once again plunged into conflict.
