Netanyahu said after a lengthy security cabinet meeting that if Hamas doesn't return hostages by Saturday at noon, the fighting in Gaza will resume. Hamas said it remains committed to the deal, and Israel is the cause of complications.
Since Tuesday's security cabinet meeting, conflicting messages have been published by an Israeli official regarding the release of remaining hostages by Hamas and the continuation of the cease-fire in Gaza.
In the most recent of four statements, an official reiterated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the cabinet's support for U.S. President Trump's Monday ultimatum to Hamas: if all hostages are not released from Gaza by Saturday at noon, Israel should consider the cease-fire void and "let all hell break loose."
In response, Hamas said it is still committed to the cease-fire deal, and that it holds Israel accountable for any "complications or delays," according to a statement by the group.
Earlier on Tuesday, following the conclusion of the security cabinet meeting, an Israeli official said all members at the meeting supported Trump's demand for Hamas to release all hostages by Saturday.
Then, another statement from an unnamed official said the cabinet expects the release of all the nine living hostages set to be released in Stage 1 "within days." The official said Hamas had violated the cease-fire agreement without detailing how, and declared that "no further progress will be made on implementing the agreement or in negotiations for Stage 2 without the return of our hostages."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then said that the cease-fire would collapse and the fighting would resume if Hamas fails to release Israeli hostages. "If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday at noon, the IDF will resume intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated," he said. At this point, Netanyahu did not specify how many hostages Israel expects Hamas to release on Saturday.
Following this statement from Netanyahu, the senior Israeli source reiterated the prime minister's support for Trump's Monday demand.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called on Netanyahu to fully implement the deal and ensure the release of all the hostages held in Gaza. "As we all witnessed this past Saturday – time is running out for the hostages," the forum said. "The shocking events of recent days demonstrate the urgent need to accelerate the timeline, complete the full negotiations immediately, and bring back every last hostage with utmost urgency."
The U.S. president clarified on Monday that he believes many of the hostages are dead and, therefore, suspects Hamas will not comply with the request. He noted that he was speaking for himself and that Israel could decide whether to accept the offer. He also mentioned that he might discuss the matter with Netanyahu. When asked what he meant by "hell breaking loose," he responded, "Hamas will find out what I mean."
Trump's statement came after Hamas announced Monday that the release scheduled for this coming Saturday, which was to include three living hostages, had been postponed until further notice over Israel's alleged violation of several terms of the agreement.
Hamas' military spokesman, Abu Obeida, said the release would be delayed "until Israel fulfills its commitments and retroactively compensates for the rights violated in recent weeks." The statement said Hamas remained committed to the agreement "as long as Israel honors it." Later, Hamas issued another statement stating that if Israel fulfills its commitments, the release of hostages can continue as planned.