Netanyahu threatens to resume Gaza offensive

Israeli PM has warned that the Gaza ceasefire deal will end if hostages are not released by February 15.

Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza will end if hostages are not released by Saturday noon (February 15). "The military will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated," he said in a video statement.

Netanyahu's warning came a day after Hamas announced it would stop releasing Israeli hostages until further notice over "Israeli violations" of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas started releasing hostages last month under the ceasefire agreement that involved the freeing of Palestinian prisoners by Israel in return. Hamas was scheduled to release more Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and other Palestinians held in Israeli detention. However, Hamas then alleged that Israel delayed Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza and also stopped humanitarian aid from entering the strip.

Israel has denied withholding aid supplies and claims it has fired on individuals who ignored warnings to stay away from Israeli troop positions. A day after Hamas's statement, Netanyahu retaliated by threatening to end the Gaza ceasefire deal.

"In light of Hamas' announcement of its decision to violate the agreement and not release our hostages, last night I ordered the IDF to gather forces inside and around the Gaza Strip," Netanyahu said, speaking after a meeting of his security cabinet.