Netanyahu threatened Hamas with renewed fighting in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the IDF will resume hostilities in the Gaza Strip if the Palestinian Hamas movement does not release hostages by noon on February 15. The Times of Israel reported on February 11.
"If Hamas does not return our hostages by noon on Saturday, the cease-fire will end and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated," Netanyahu said after a four-hour security cabinet meeting.
It is specified that the movement is due to release 9 captured Israelis on Saturday.
At the moment, the IDF is concentrating forces in the Gaza Strip. According to the publication, a large-scale reinforcement of troops is being carried out - including the call-up of reservists.
The Israel Defense Forces said that the measure is being carried out in preparation "for various scenarios."
Earlier in the day, Hamas leader Abdel Malik al-Husi said that the Houthis from Yemen's Ansar Allah movement are ready to attack Israel if it does not abide by the ceasefire and resumes the war in the Gaza Strip.
The day before, February 10, the Palestinian radical movement Hamas decided to postpone the release of Israeli hostages scheduled for next Saturday, February 15, because of Israel's failure to comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz later commented on the Hamas announcement, saying it was "a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the hostage release deal."
On Jan. 19, the first phase of the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas went into effect. During this phase of the deal, which will last 42 days, 33 Israeli hostages and some 1,900 Palestinians are to be released.
The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when Hamas subjected Israeli territory to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.
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