Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Thursday, Feb 19, 2026

0:00
0:00

Israel Warns It May Terminate Gaza Ceasefire Due to Hostage Situation

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu cautions that military operations may resume if hostages are not released by Saturday, as tensions escalate during a delicate ceasefire.
Israel has delivered a strong warning concerning the current ceasefire agreement with Hamas, asserting that military actions in Gaza will recommence if hostages are not freed by noon on Saturday.

This declaration comes after a series of rising tensions connected to the hostage crisis and the enforcement of the ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump, who has been instrumental in brokering the ceasefire established last month, reiterated his stance during a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah II at the White House, suggesting that noncompliance from Hamas would lead to serious repercussions.

Trump remarked that "hell" would break loose if all Israeli hostages were not returned by the specified deadline.

The ceasefire, which has been in place for over a month, has put an end to the relentless fighting that persisted for more than 15 months in Gaza, facilitating the exchange of hostages and prisoners between both sides.

Thus far, five exchanges have occurred, resulting in the release of 16 Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

In a statement following a cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed, "if Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will conclude, and the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will resume intense fighting until Hamas is decisively defeated." His comments suggest a potential change in Israel’s strategy if the hostage situation remains unresolved by the deadline.

Hamas, represented by senior leader Sami Abu Zuhri, reacted to Trump’s statements by stressing the importance of both parties adhering to the agreement, warning that violations could further complicate the efforts to secure the release of hostages.

The group announced it would delay the planned release of hostages, citing Israel's failure to fulfill its commitments under the agreement.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich backed Netanyahu’s threats, calling for a strong response if hostages are not returned.

"No more phases, no more games," Smotrich declared, reflecting mounting pressure within the Israeli government for a firmer stance against Hamas.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the potential resumption of hostilities, urging Hamas to comply with the scheduled releases and pointing out the humanitarian consequences of renewed conflict.

Simultaneously, Israeli military preparedness near Gaza has been heightened as tensions escalate, with additional troops and reservists being deployed.

At the same time, families of hostages gathered outside Netanyahu’s office, appealing for the government to honor the ceasefire agreement.

Recent reports from released hostages reveal alarming conditions for those still in captivity, including claims of malnutrition and distress.

Relatives of hostages have voiced their fears about the safety of their loved ones and are advocating for the enforcement of the current deal.

In Gaza, civilians remain apprehensive about the potential resurgence of conflict.

Residents have expressed hope that the ceasefire will endure, yet they recognize that factions within both Hamas and Israel may seek further warfare.

The conflict, reignited by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in substantial casualties, with over 1,211 fatalities reported in Israel and at least 48,218 in Gaza, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

UN estimates suggest that more than $53 billion will be needed for Gaza's reconstruction, highlighting the grave humanitarian crisis facing the region.

As the Saturday deadline draws near, the international community’s attention remains fixed on the ongoing developments surrounding the hostage situation and the precarious ceasefire.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Unitree Robotics founder Wang Xingxing showcases future robot deployment during Spring Festival Gala.
Prince William Holds Talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman During Saudi Visit
Saudi Arabia’s Humain Commits $3 Billion Investment to Elon Musk’s xAI
SCOPA Executive Unveils Ambitious Relaunch Strategy for Saudi Production Company
Saudi Arabia Sees Rise in Business Visa Rejections Amid Tighter Compliance Checks
Saudi PIF Transfers Take-Two Stake to Savvy Games Group in Strategic Gaming Push
Jimmy Carr Says He ‘Loved’ Saudi Arabia Show Amid Debate Over Performing in the Kingdom
Sotheby’s ‘Origins II’ Auction Signals Saudi Collectors’ Shift Toward Cultural Legacy
EY and Microsoft Deepen Saudi Arabia Partnership with Launch of EY Studio+
Google Pay Launches Support for Mastercard Cards in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Bolsters Maritime Surveillance Fleet with Four C-27J Patrol Aircraft
Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia Deepen Strategic Partnership with New Investment and Energy Agreements
Saudi Crown Prince Receives Written Message from Kazakhstan’s President Amid Expanding Strategic Ties
ImmunityBio Shares Rise After Saudi Arabia BCG Manufacturing Update Spurs Investor Optimism
Global Music Star Tyla Confirmed as Headliner at 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Entertainment Lineup
Somalia and Saudi Arabia Forge New Military Partnership Amid Regional Power Shifts
Saudi Arabia and Several Nations Criticize Israeli West Bank Land Measures as Diplomatic Tensions Rise
Saudi Public Investment Fund Transfers Stake in Take-Two Interactive as Portfolio Strategy Evolves
Saudi Arabia’s Flagship Defense Expo Highlights Industrial Ambitions and Expanding Arms Portfolio
Strategic Divergence Deepens as Saudi Arabia and UAE Recalibrate Gulf Partnership
Saudi Arabia Confirms Start of Ramadan as Crescent Moon Sighted, While Other Nations Begin a Day Later
Rubio Calls for Sweeping U.N. Reform, Saying It Has Failed to End Wars in Gaza and Ukraine
10,000 Condoms Distributed at Winter Olympics 2026 Athlete Village Depleted Within 72 Hours
Prince William Meets Saudi Crown Prince as Epstein-Andrew Fallout Casts Shadow
Goldman Sachs and DP World Executive Resignations: Elite-Reputation Risk and Corporate Governance Fallout From the Epstein Disclosures
OpenAI and DeepCent Superintelligence Race: Artificial General Intelligence and AI Agents as a National Security Arms Race
Prince William in Saudi Arabia on Official Three-Day Visit to Strengthen UK-Saudi Relations
Prince William Highlights Women’s Sport During High-Profile Visit to Saudi Arabia
Prince William Begins High-Profile Diplomatic Mission to Saudi Arabia
Syria and Saudi Arabia Seal Multibillion-Dollar Investment Agreements to Drive Post-War Economic Reconstruction
Apple iPhone Lockdown Mode blocks FBI data access in journalist device seizure
Foreign Governments and Corporations Spend Millions with Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm in Washington
KPMG Urges Auditor to Relay AI Cost Savings
Saudi Arabia Quietly Allows Wealthy Foreign Residents to Buy Alcohol, Signalling Policy Shift
US and Iran to Begin Nuclear Talks in Oman
China unveils plans for a 'Death Star' capable of launching missile strikes from space
Investigation Launched at Winter Olympics Over Ski Jumpers Injecting Hyaluronic Acid
U.S. State Department Issues Urgent Travel Warning for Citizens to Leave Iran Immediately
Wall Street Erases All Gains of 2026; Bitcoin Plummets 14% to $63,000
Eighty-one-year-old man in the United States fatally shoots Uber driver after scam threat
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Begins Strategic Gulf Tour with Saudi Arabia Visit
Dubai Awards Tunnel Contract for Dubai Loop as Boring Company Plans Pilot Network
Five Key Takeaways From President Erdoğan’s Strategic Visit to Saudi Arabia
AI Invented “Hot Springs” — Tourists Arrived and Were Shocked
Erdoğan’s Saudi Arabia Visit Focuses on Trade, Investment and Strategic Cooperation
Germany and Saudi Arabia Move to Deepen Energy Cooperation Amid Global Transition
Saudi Aviation Records Historic Passenger Traffic in 2025 and Sets Sights on Further Growth in 2026
Tech Market Shifts and AI Investment Surge Drive Global Innovation and Layoffs
Global Shifts in War, Trade, Energy and Security Mark Major International Developments
Tesla Ends Model S and X Production and Sends $2 Billion to xAI as 2025 Revenue Declines
×