Israel threatens to end ceasefire if Hamas does not release hostages by Feb 15

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned the Palestinian fighter group Hamas of dire consequences if it does not release Israeli hostages by afternoon of Feb 15.

Netanyahu on Feb 11 said that his military would resume intense fighting until the group is crushed and defeated after Hamas's announcement that it was postponing freeing more hostages until further notice.

"If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon - the ceasefire will end and the IDF (military) will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated," Netanyahu said.

In response to his threat, Hamas issued a statement renewing its commitment to the ceasefire while accusing Israel of hampering it.

Hamas accused Israel of violating the three-week-old ceasefire deal, including by blocking vital humanitarian aid, holding it responsible for “any complications or delays.” Israel has denied any such claim.

Almost 16 months after the war began, Hamas has gradually been releasing hostages after the first phase of a ceasefire began on Jan 19.

However, on Feb 11, it said that it would not free any more until further notice over accusations Israel was violating the deal.

Netanyahu’s statement came after he met with his cabinet ministers, including defense, foreign affairs, and national security, who fully supported the ultimatum.

However, the Israeli prime minister did not mention whether he was referring to all the 76 hostages left to be freed or just the 3 who were due to be freed on Feb 15.

So far, 16 living hostages have been freed since, including five Thai hostages outside the terms of the deal.

There are 76 hostages still held in Gaza, more than 35 of them believed to be dead, according to Israeli media.

Meanwhile, Hamas’ denial to free hostages prompted US President Donald Trump to propose that Israel cancel the agreement altogether and "let hell break out" unless "all of the hostages" were returned by Feb 15.

Following a four-hour meeting of Israel's security cabinet on Feb 11, Netanyahu said in a video statement that he "welcomed President Trump's demand".

He added: "In light of Hamas's announcement regarding its decision to violate the agreement and not release our hostages, last night I instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to amass forces inside - and surrounding - the Gaza Strip.

“This action is being carried out at this hour and will be completed very soon.”

Last week, Trump proposed that the US should take over Gaza and move out more than 2 million Palestinian residents so the enclave can be developed into the "Riviera of the Middle East".

Netanyahu hailed the plan as “creative and revolutionary” and said the security cabinet endorsed it.

Egypt has proposed to present a "comprehensive vision" for the reconstruction of Gaza that does not involve displacing the population as opposed to the one put forward by Trump.

Gaza has been devastated by Israel's military offensive and is short of food, water, and shelter. The enclave needs billions of dollars in foreign aid for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

So far, over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war including women and children, the Gaza health ministry says and a population of 2.3 million has been internally displaced by the conflict.