The fragile truce between Israel and Hamas appears to be hanging by a thread.
As the Saturday deadline looms, Israel has made it clear that if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages, military operations in Gaza will resume.
The ultimatum has put immense pressure on both sides, with the international community watching closely.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump added to the intensity of the situation, stating that if all hostages are not freed by noon on Saturday, “all bets are off” and Israel should cancel the ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed these sentiments, vowing to return to “intense fighting” until Hamas is defeated.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have already been instructed to mobilize, with troops amassing around Gaza in preparation for potential combat.
Military Readiness and Deployment
Israeli military units, particularly the Southern Command, the Gaza Division, and the 162nd Division, have been placed on high alert.
Additional units stand ready for deployment, while the Israeli Air Force and Intelligence Division have ramped up preparations for potential airstrikes and surveillance operations.
The IDF has also confirmed an “extensive” bolstering of troops, with reservists being called up to prepare for various combat scenarios.
Reports from Israeli media indicate that if the conflict resumes, the IDF could retake key strategic locations, including the Netzarim corridor, within hours.
The four-mile-long corridor, which separates northern Gaza from the south, was recently vacated by Israeli forces as part of the ceasefire agreement, allowing thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their devastated homes.
However, renewed hostilities could force them to flee once again.
Ceasefire Violations and Mounting Tensions
Hamas, for its part, has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement through deadly shootings, blocking aid deliveries, and impeding the return of civilians to northern Gaza.
The IDF, however, denies these claims, asserting that any use of force was in response to security threats.
On Friday, the Israeli military confirmed carrying out an airstrike in Rafah, targeting two individuals suspected of attempting to smuggle a drone into Gaza.
Amid these rising tensions, a senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, dismissed threats from Trump and Israeli leaders, insisting that hostage releases can only proceed if Israel fully respects the ceasefire agreement.
“The language of threats complicates matters,” he told Reuters, emphasizing that both parties must adhere to the terms set last month.
International Reactions and Future Implications
International voices are weighing in on the crisis. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Israel cannot allow Hamas to use the ceasefire as an opportunity to regroup and rearm.
“It’s a ceasefire, but it’s not a stupid ceasefire,” he remarked, reinforcing Israel’s stance that Hamas should not be permitted to rebuild its military capabilities.
Meanwhile, Hamas has accused Israel of failing to uphold its end of the agreement, pointing to recent military actions in Gaza.
The group has indefinitely postponed a planned hostage release, arguing that Israel’s actions constitute a “complete violation” of the ceasefire.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has responded forcefully, stating that any delay in the release of hostages will be met with the IDF assuming its “highest level of readiness.”
What Comes Next?
With the deadline fast approaching, the fate of the ceasefire remains uncertain.
If Hamas does not comply with Israel’s demands, a renewed military offensive in Gaza seems inevitable.
The humanitarian impact could be devastating, with thousands of civilians at risk of further displacement and worsening conditions.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can salvage the truce or if another cycle of violence is on the horizon.
As both sides dig in their heels, the world watches anxiously to see how this high-stakes standoff will unfold.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn