As part of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas is supposed to release 12 more hostages over the next three weeks - but the group has put the brakes on the deal, claiming that Israel has been preventing aid from getting in to Gaza
The head of the Houthi rebels has warned Israel if it recommences its attack on Gaza that they are ready to mount an offensive.
Chief Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said the group would begin its campaign of terror in the Red Sea and attack the state at the first sign of conflict in Gaza after Israel confirmed the fragile ceasefire would end if hostages were not freed by noon Saturday. "Our fingers are on the trigger, and we are ready to immediately escalate against the Israeli enemy if it returns to escalation in the Gaza Strip," al-Houthi said in a televised speech.
He then branded President Donald Trump a "fool" for issuing a similar ultimatum to Hamas. On Monday, Hamas stunned the world after announcing it would halt the exchange of hostages. They accused Israel of keeping aid from reaching northern Gaza, which they consider a violation of the terms of their cease-fire agreement.
The Houthi rebels have maintained support for Hamas, who are also backed by the Iranian Government. Since November 2023, the rebels have been attacking Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Foreign commercial ships and military vessels have also been attacked, causing widespread chaos in the key shipping route.
The Israeli Defence Forces are said to be on alert over the cease-fire concerns, with forces being bolstered in the Southern Command. In a statement, the IDF said: "The reinforcements of troops and mobilization of reservists are being carried out in preparation for various scenarios."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel is ready to resume fighting if Hamas fails to release more hostages by 12pm on Saturday. Since they began releasing hostages, Hamas has let 21 captives go free. According to the deal, they need to release 12 more hostages in the next three weeks. Israeli officials say there are 76 hostages remaining in Hamas captivity. They presume 30 of those are dead.
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