Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel will resume full-scale military operations in Gaza if Hamas does not release hostages by noon on February 15.
"If Hamas does not hand over our hostages by noon on February 15, the ceasefire will end, and the Israeli military will resume intense fighting until Hamas is completely defeated," Netanyahu declared after a four-hour cabinet meeting on February 12.
Hamas Delays Hostage Release
Hamas was originally scheduled to release three hostages on February 15. However, on February 11, the group announced it was delaying the release indefinitely, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement by preventing displaced Gazans from returning home and obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries.
Hamas stated that it made the announcement five days ahead of the scheduled release to give mediators enough time to pressure Israel into fulfilling its obligations.
Trump Issues Stern Warning to Hamas
On the same day, President Donald Trump warned that Hamas would face severe consequences if it did not release "all hostages" by the end of the week.
"If Hamas does not release all hostages, they will suffer consequences like hell," Trump said.
Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s demand and expressed support for his “revolutionary vision” for Gaza’s future. However, the Israeli prime minister did not clarify whether Hamas needed to release all hostages or just the three individuals originally scheduled for February 15 to avoid an Israeli military response.
The Ceasefire Deal and Its Challenges
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., took effect on January 19 and was structured into three phases:
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Phase One (42 days):
- Hamas was to release 33 Israeli hostages, including women, elderly, and injured individuals, in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
- Hamas has released 16 hostages so far.
- Of the remaining 17 hostages, 9 are believed to be alive.
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Phase Two:
- Negotiations to end the war permanently and secure the release of all remaining hostages.
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Phase Three:
- Reconstruction of Gaza and the return of deceased hostages' remains.
Talks for Phase Two were supposed to start on Day 16 of the ceasefire, but Israel did not send negotiators to Doha for discussions.
Israeli Military Prepared for Renewed Conflict
Israeli security officials argue that the government should prioritize completing Phase One of the hostage deal, securing the release of as many captives as possible.
The Israeli military also supports leveraging Trump’s influence over negotiations with Hamas. However, if Hamas refuses to comply, Israel is prepared to launch large-scale attacks on Gaza once again.
Hostage Numbers and Potential Escalation
Israeli media reports that 76 hostages remain in Gaza, with the military confirming that at least 35 are dead.
If Hamas fails to release the expected hostages by February 15, the fragile ceasefire could collapse, leading to renewed Israeli military action.
(Sources: Times of Israel, Reuters)
