In a dramatic escalation, Israel issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas on Thursday, warning that the hard-won ceasefire in Gaza would shatter unless the militant group releases three Israeli hostages by Saturday. The high-stakes demand threatens to unravel the tenuous truce and plunge the embattled enclave back into the throes of war.
According to a spokesperson from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, Israel expects Hamas to adhere to the hostage exchange timeline established in the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt last week. Failure to hand over the three captives, the official warned, would trigger an immediate and ferocious military response.
“There is a framework in place for the release of our hostages,” asserted David Mencer, a Netanyahu spokesperson. “That framework makes clear that three live hostages must be released by Hamas terrorists on Saturday.”
David Mencer, spokesperson for PM Netanyahu
The ultimatum marks a dramatic reversal mere days after the guns fell silent, halting 11 days of devastating bombardment that killed over 250 Palestinians, leveled entire neighborhoods in Gaza, and sent tens of thousands fleeing for safety. Twelve people died in Israel before the Egyptian-mediated truce took effect last Friday.
Trump Slams “Terrible Deal” as Regional Powers Scramble
The crisis takes an alarming turn as Israel’s crucial ally, the United States, signaled its dissatisfaction with the ceasefire arrangement. In characteristically blunt remarks on Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump demanded that Hamas immediately release all remaining Israeli captives, not just the three stipulated in the deal.
“We have a terrible deal, a deal that shouldn’t have been made,” Trump declared. “I want 100 percent of the people back, and I want them back now.”
Former US President Donald Trump
Trump, who controversially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital during his term, warned that he would “cancel” the ceasefire and “let all hell break loose” unless Hamas accedes to his maximalist demand. The fiery rhetoric and apparent daylight between Washington and Jerusalem underscore the fragility of the arrangement.
Regional powers, eager to prevent a dangerous flare-up, are racing against the clock to preserve the ceasefire and avert a new spiral of violence. Egypt and Qatar, both influential players in the latest de-escalation, have reportedly urged Hamas to honor its commitment and release the agreed-upon prisoners to keep diplomacy alive.
Will cooler heads prevail?
With tensions reaching a fever pitch and the specter of war looming on the horizon, some see glimmers of hope that disaster can be averted. Hamas officials have signaled their intention to uphold the ceasefire, including the phased release of captives, despite jitters and mixed messages in recent days.
“Hamas is committed to the ceasefire understandings,” a senior Hamas member told AFP on condition of anonymity. “But Israel must not violate the agreement and avoid military or political scheming.”
Anonymous senior Hamas official
Still, trust is in short supply after years of false dawns and dashed hopes. Previous ceasefire deals have quickly unraveled amid cycles of rocket fire, airstrikes, and mutual recrimination. The high stakes of the impending deadline raise fears that even a small misstep could spiral out of control.
Humanitarian catastrophe
As political brinkmanship dominates the headlines, the humanitarian toll on Gaza’s battered population continues to mount. Vast swathes of the densely-populated strip lie in ruins, with over 100,000 Palestinians displaced in one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.
- 70% of infrastructure damaged or destroyed
- 60% of homes impacted
- 65% of roads rendered impassable
“Gaza is in crisis,” lamented the head of the United Nation’s infrastructure agency, Jorge Moreira da Silva, after surveying the devastation firsthand. He emphasized the urgent need for relief and reconstruction even as the fate of the ceasefire hangs in the balance.
Hostage crisis reignites domestic furor
For the loved ones of the Israeli captives held in Gaza, the hostage crisis is an agonizing ordeal that strikes at the heart of the country’s collective trauma. Demonstrations led by the captives’ families have erupted across Israel, blocking highways and demanding the government take decisive action to bring them home.
“We cannot bear another day of this nightmare,” cried Ohad Ben Ami, who was recently released from captivity. “I won’t rest until all of my fellow prisoners are returned to their families and all of Israel.”
The hostage issue remains a highly charged political tinderbox in Israel, where recovering captured soldiers and civilians is sacrosanct. Opponents have pounced on Netanyahu, accusing him of weakness and questioning his resolve.
With Israel hurtling towards a pivotal election and pressure building on all sides, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As the clock ticks closer to Saturday’s fateful deadline, the world watches with bated breath, praying for a miracle that pulls the region back from the brink.
