Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, issued an ultimatum to the Islamist group Hamas, warning that if hostages are not released by this Saturday, the conflict in Gaza will resume with unprecedented intensity. Katz mentioned that this offensive aims not only to free the captives and weaken Hamas but also to implement Donald Trump's vision for the region, which includes significant changes to the Palestinian enclave.
For its part, Hamas responded by stating that it will not release the hostages slated for this Saturday, citing Israel's non-compliance with the ceasefire terms. "If the Israeli hostages are not released before Shabbat, Israel will unleash hell on Gaza,” declared Netanyahu. U.S. President Donald Trump joined the pressure, demanding the total release of hostages, including American citizens, before Saturday.
During a visit to military operations on the ground, Katz asserted that Israeli troops are prepared to act if Hamas fails to comply. Meanwhile, tension in the Middle East has reached critical levels with the backing of the U.S. administration and Israel's toughening stance toward Hamas. Trump outlined his plan for Gaza, which includes relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan.
Amid the tensions, the role of mediators like Egypt, Qatar, and the United States is crucial to prevent a collapse of the agreement. So far, 21 hostages have been released since the truce began, but a total of 94 people are expected to be delivered, including three abducted before the most recent conflict. The region remains on high alert, with diplomatic efforts to prevent an escalation in the conflict.
