Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday threatened to withdraw from the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and resume its war against Hamas if the militant group does not go ahead with the next scheduled release of hostages on Saturday.
Hamas accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, including by not allowing a surge of tents and shelters into the devastated territory. U.S. President Donald Trump threated that “all hell” will break out if the militant group does not release the remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Saturday.
At the White House, Trump is hosting Jordan’s King Abdullah II as he escalates pressure on the key U.S. ally to take in refugees from Gaza — perhaps permanently — as part of his audacious plan to remake the Middle East. Palestinians and the international community have seethed over Trump’s recent comments that any Palestinians potentially expelled from Gaza would not have a right to return.
During the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas has committed to freeing a total of 33 hostages captured in its Oct. 7, 2023, attack in exchange for Israel releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The sides have carried out five swaps since Jan. 19, freeing 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners so far. The war could resume in early March if no agreement is reached on the more complicated second phase of the ceasefire, which calls for the return of all remaining hostages and an indefinite extension of the truce.
Latest Developments
Egypt is working on its own Gaza plan that would keep Palestinians on their land. Jordan is willing to take in 2,000 sick children from Gaza for medical care. Meanwhile, Hamas has condemned Trump’s plan as “a call for ethnic cleansing” and reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement.
Trump has renewed his suggestions that Gaza could be emptied of residents, controlled by the U.S., and redeveloped as a tourist area. Netanyahu has ordered more troops to Gaza as the ceasefire falters, and Israel has increased work permits for foreign construction laborers.
Israel has also faced criticism for the fatal shooting of a pregnant Palestinian woman in the West Bank, which has raised concerns about escalating violence in the region.
Conclusion
As tensions rise in the region, the fate of the ceasefire in Gaza remains uncertain. The international community is closely watching the situation, with calls for continued peace and dialogue to prevent further conflict.
