Israel-Gaza latest: Hamas says it is suspending hostage releases – Israel says military now on ‘highest alert’ – BBC.com
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not release Israeli hostages on SaturdayHamas said on Monday it would not release three Israelis as planned this weekend, because of alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefireNetanyahu says the Israeli military is ready to “return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated”Donald Trump says he does not think Hamas will “make the deadline” – on Monday he said Israel should “let hell break out” if Hamas does not release all remaining hostagesTrump is hosting Jordan’s King Abdullah after suggesting he may withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt if they don’t co-operate with his plan to take control of Gaza and resettle the population in the two countriesIn total, 17 Israeli hostages were still due to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire, eight of whom Israel says are dead. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been freed by Israel so farEdited by Andrew Humphrey and Emily Atkinson, with Lucy Williamson reporting from Jordan, and Bernd Debusmann Jr from the White HouseWyre Daviesreporting from JerusalemAn Israeli government minister, Miri Regev, made it clear her government supported President Trump’s statement that all Israeli hostages should be released.Her comments came after Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military would “return to intense fighting” in Gaza if the hostages weren’t freed by Hamas on Saturday.But Netanyahu hasn’t been clear whether he’s insisting that all 76 hostages should be freed by the deadline – or whether he’s referring to around three named hostages, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement.
It’s a confusing picture, reflecting the precarious and delicate nature of the ceasefire.Hamas had initially said it was postponing this weekend’s scheduled release of hostages, accusing Israel of violating the agreement.
Hamas now says it remains committed to the ceasefire, which also has overwhelming support in Israel.If, by the end of this week, Hamas does release the three named hostages it intends to release, Prime Minister Netanyahu will face intense pressure not to resume the fighting. Saturday is the next scheduled hostage release as part of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, on Monday Hamas said it would suspend the upcoming hostage release, accusing Israel of breaking the terms of the deal.President Trump – who has weighed in several times on the conflict in the Middle East since taking office – said “hell” would breakout if “all” hostages were not released by 12:00 on Saturday.Israel has voiced its concerns, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that a unanimous decision had been passed in the cabinet and if Hamas does not return Israeli hostages “by Saturday noon”, then the ceasefire will come to an end and the Israeli military will “return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated”.Assuming the ceasefire holds, the debate about Gaza’s future has also seen fresh interventions. After a meeting with Trump at the White House, Jordan’s King Abdullah reiterated his country’s “steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank”.And in the last hour Egypt said it will be presenting its “vision” for the reconstruction of Gaza in a plan that “guarantees the survival of the Palestinian people on their land”. We’ll be closing today’s coverage shortly, but you can read more in our articles below:We’ve just heard from Egypt, who say they intend to present a “vision” for the reconstruction of Gaza that “guarantees the survival of the Palestinian people on their land”.Egypt voiced its “aspiration” to cooperate with US President Donald Trump’s administration “to achieve comprehensive and just peace in the region, by reaching a just settlement of the Palestinian issue that takes into account the rights of the peoples of the region”.In a statement shared on social media by the foreign ministry’s spokesman, external, Egypt says its plans will put forward a “comprehensive vision” for the survival of Palestinians that is “consistent with the legitimate and legal rights”.The statement went on to say that any vision, or plan, for what happens next in the region should “avoid jeopardising the gains of peace”. Earlier, when pressed on Trump’s plans to takeover Gaza, King Abdullah of Jordan said Egypt would be putting forward a plan on working with the US.As we’ve been reporting, Donald Trump welcomed Jordan’s King Abdullah to the White House earlier today.Our correspondent in Washington DC has more on the outcome of the meeting – including how the US president doubled down on his commitment to occupy Gaza.And we subsequently heard King Abdullah’s rejection of Trump’s plan to remove Palestinians from the territory.Here’s how it looked as the pair met for the first time in Trump’s second stint in the White House:UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged Israel and Hamas to ensure the ceasefire deal continues to hold.”I [Antonio Guterres] appeal to Hamas to proceed with the planned liberation of hostages next Saturday, and both sides must fully abide by their commitments in the ceasefire agreement and resume serious negotiations in Doha for the second phase.” Guterres’ statement was read out by UN spokesman Rolando Gomez at a news briefing in Geneva.”We must avoid at all costs the resumption of hostilities in Gaza,” Gomez read, adding that it results in “immense tragedy”. Gomez also said that the UN’s priority was on getting aid into Gaza, which continues to be an “enormous need”.Avigail Tielmor joined protestors in Tel AvivProtestors have gathered in Tel Aviv, with some criticising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he delivered an ultimatum to Hamas on the fragile ceasefire.”Unfortunately, we are all only pieces in the games of Bibi [Netenyahu] and our government,” Avigail Tielmor tells the Reuters news agency.”I have to say we are not our government. We do not support what our government is doing.”Another man, Amit Kakderon, says he hopes for all of the remaining hostages to be released by noon on Saturday, but accepts “this is not what the deal says”. “If Israel wanted to get a deal for all of the hostages, I think we could have done it,” he adds. “The Israeli government chose to do this in parts and not to conclude one deal for all of them.”Amit Kakderon says Netanyahu could have done more to rescue the hostagesLuke MintzBBC Radio 4 PM reporterDonald Trump’s Gaza plan
raises an “existential issue” for Jordan, says a former US diplomat
who worked for Donald Trump’s first administration in the Middle East.James Jeffrey, who has
worked for various US presidents in the region – most recently as Trump’s special representative for Syria engagement – is speaking to BBC Radio 4’s PM programme.On his time working for President Trump, he says: “I learnt to take him seriously but also to be
flexible.”Jeffrey lays out a
series of problems he sees with Trump’s Gaza plan:”Who
is going to use the bayonets to drive two million Gazans, who… don’t want
to leave Gaza, out of there?”Who is going to
take them? It is an existential issue for Jordan, it’s not just, ‘do we have
the space for refugees and who will fund them?’, it’s a question of the
demographics of a country that’s already split between Bedouin Arabs who
typically support the King, and Palestinians who are willing to keep options
open.”Jordan’s King Abdullah has called his meeting with President Trump earlier today a “constructive” one. Posting on X, he writes that he is grateful for Trump’s “warm welcome”, adding that the pair discussed the “partnership” between the two countries, but that he stressed his foremost commitment is to Jordan. “I reiterated Jordan’s steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank,” he adds. “This is the unified Arab position. Rebuilding Gaza without displacing the Palestinians and addressing the dire humanitarian situation should be the priority for all.”The king reaffirms his commitment to the two-state solution as the way “to ensure regional stability”. Last Saturday, Hamas released three Israeli hostages: Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben AmiIsraeli cabinet minister Miri Regev says a “very clear decision” was made during the meeting led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier today.”We adhere to US President Donald Trump’s statement regarding the release of the hostages – on Saturday everyone will be released,” she says in a post on X.Her comments come after Netanyahu said the Israeli military would “return to intense fighting” if Israeli hostages were not released by Hamas by midday on Saturday. The Israeli PM did not specify how many hostages needed to be released by then, but three living hostages were due to be freed this weekend – until Hamas said it was suspending the release.Earlier, Trump said “hell” would breakout if Hamas did not release “all” hostages by the same deadline.Hamas says it “remains committed to the ceasefire agreement”, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would end if the group did not release the hostages by noon on Saturday.In a statement, Hamas also repeats its “rejection of US President Donald Trump’s statements regarding the displacement of our people from the Gaza Strip under the pretext of reconstruction”. The group calls Trump’s comments “racist” and says the plan to “expel” Palestinians from Gaza will not succeed.”The Hamas movement remains committed to the ceasefire agreement as long as the occupation abides by it,” the group adds, noting that the deal was brokered by mediators and witnessed by the international community.”We emphasize that the occupation is the party that has failed to uphold its commitments, and it bears full responsibility for any complications or delays.”We can bring you a few more lines now from President Trump, during his sit down with Jordan’s King Abdullah.He shares again his plans to resettle Gazans in neighbouring countries, including Egypt and Jordan. He tells reporters there’s going to be “great progress” with the two countries, both of which have criticised Trump’s proposal.”It’s not a complex thing to do,” Trump says, adding that with the United States in control of the Gaza Strip, “you can have stability in the Middle East for the first time”.”And the Palestinians or the people that live now in Gaza will be living beautifully in another location. They’re going to be living safely. They’re not going to be killed murdered and having to leave every ten years,” Trump says.During a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah in the White House earlier this afternoon, Donald Trump reiterated his proposal for the US to take over Gaza. Responding to a question about US taxpayers’ dollars being used to buy the territory, Trump says that won’t be necessary.”We’re not going to buy anything, there’s nothing to buy, we’re going to have it,” he argues.Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ultimatum that Hamas must hand over its Israeli hostages by midday on Saturday, Trump also speculated on Hamas’ response.Here’s what the US president had to say:This video can not be playedWatch: Trump repeats Gaza takeover plan, says Hamas won’t meet hostage deadlineSome more now from the news briefing by Jordan’s King Abdullah and President Trump.King Abdullah announced a plan to resettle ill children to Jordan in a move welcomed by Trump.”One of the things that we can do right away is take 2,000 children that are either cancer children or in very ill state to Jordan as quickly as possible,” King Abdullah says.”Two thousand children with cancer or other problems, that’s really a beautiful gesture, that’s really good and we appreciate it,” Trump says. Tom BatemanState Department correspondent, Washington DCWe’ve just finished watching the replay of President Trump and King Abdullah answering press questions in the Oval Office for about 20 minutes before their meeting. It’s clear from Trump’s comments he’s doubling down on two things.First – his idea which involves forcing some two million Palestinians out of Gaza before the US becomes the occupying power to turn it into a Mediterranean resort.Second – his noon Saturday deadline for Hamas to release all the remaining hostages or “all bets are off”. Abdullah sat, often looking awkward, as Trump reiterated his proposals. They involve upending decades of established US policy on Israel and the Palestinians and would amount to a clear breach of international law, which prohibits the forcible transfer of populations. Trump was challenged by a reporter suggesting his Gaza plan was ethnic cleansing. He sidestepped that, saying: “We’re moving them to a beautiful location where they have new homes, where they can live safely, where they have doctors and medical and all of those things. And I think it’s going to be great.” The Jordanian king was asked if he backed any of this and for his position on the US seizing Gaza. As we just reported, he said that the Arab countries, led by Egypt, were working on a plan – understood to be an alternative to Trump’s proposal – which they would ultimately discuss with him.During the same question and answer session with reporters, King Abdullah of Jordan said Egypt would present a plan on working with the US over President Donald Trump’s Gaza takeover proposal.”Let’s wait until the Egyptians can come and present it to the president and not get ahead of ourselves,” adding that he needs to look at what was in the best interest of his country, Jordan.King Abdullah said the regional leaders will meet in Saudi Arabia “to discuss how we can work with the president and with the United States”.Let’s bring you some lines from the meeting between US President Donald Trump and King Abdullah of Jordan at the White House.Speaking about the current ceasefire situation, Trump says he does not believe Hamas will meet the Saturday deadline to return Israeli hostages.”I have a Saturday deadline, and I don’t think they’re going to make the deadline personally,” the president says, adding: “I think they want to play tough guy, but we’ll see how tough they are”.Trump says he doesn’t want to see hostage releases being dragged out.“As I’m concerned, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday 12:00 … I would say cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out, if they are not returned, all of them, not dribs and drabs, not two, and one and three and four and two,” the US president said on Monday. Trump said it was for Israel to make its own decision and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the offensive in Gaza would resume if Hamas did not release “our hostages” on Saturday. The ceasefire in Gaza began on 19 January, after months of negotiations led by the US, Qatar and Egypt. The deal will be carried out in three phases, the first of which is currently under way.Here’s how it will work:Stage oneThis will last 42 days, during which:Stage twoSixteen days after the start of stage one, negotiations will begin on the second stage, during which:Stage threeThe final part of the agreement will see:Released hostage Ohad Ben Ami, who was seized during the 7 October attack by Hamas, was reunited with his family in Israel on SaturdayAs we just reported, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the ceasefire in Gaza will end and the Israeli military will “return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated” if the group does not free the hostages from Gaza “by Saturday noon”.It is not clear from his statement how many of those hostages he is demanding are released.So far, 16 Israeli hostages have been freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails since 19 January. Hamas has also handed over five Thai hostages.There are remaining 17 Israeli hostages supposed to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire, although Israel says eight are dead.Three living hostages were due to be freed on Saturday – until Hamas said it was suspending the release.We can now bring you Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement in full – here’s what the Israeli prime minister says:”I have just concluded an in-depth four-hour discussion in the political-security cabinet. “We all expressed outrage at the shocking situation of our three hostages who were released last Saturday. “We all also welcomed President Trump’s demand for the release of our hostages by Saturday noon, and we all also welcomed the president’s revolutionary vision for the future of Gaza. “In light of Hamas’ announcement of its decision to violate the agreement and not release our hostages, last night I ordered the IDF to amass forces inside and around the Gaza Strip.
This operation is taking place at these hours. It will be completed in the very near future. “The decision that I passed unanimously in the cabinet is this:
If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon – the ceasefire will be terminated, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated.”We’ve just heard from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he chaired a four hour cabinet meeting earlier today in response to Hamas saying it would no longer release hostages this weekend.He says: “The decision that I passed unanimously in the cabinet is this:
If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon – the ceasefire will be terminated, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated.”We’ll bring you the rest of Netanyahu’s statement shortly.Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
