There is growing concern that fighting could resume in Gaza after Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas it would end the ceasefire if the Palestinian armed group “does not return our hostages by Saturday”.
This move comes after Hamas, said that it was suspending the upcoming hostage release in the Gaza Strip, blaming Israel for not following the terms of a ceasefire agreement that paused the 15-month war in the Palestinian enclave.
Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, cited alleged Israeli violations of the deal over the past three weeks, including delaying the return of displaced people to northern Gaza, not allowing aid to enter the enclave, and shelling and gunfire in various areas of the strip.
It remains unclear whether Netanyahu is demanding the release of all 76 remaining hostages, or just the three due to be freed by February 15, 2025.
A few days ago, US President Donald Trump, absurd remark only made the war’s end negotiations more difficult.
Trump had stated that if Hamas does not return all of the remaining Israeli hostages by February 15, “let all hell break out”.
The US president’s assertion that Palestinians wouldn’t be entitled to return to Gaza is also certain to deepen international opposition to the proposal.
Jordan’s King Abdullah, along with his counterparts in Egypt and other Arab nations, has flatly rejected Trump’s plan.
Trump’s approach to the Palestinian question does not just ignore the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people but makes a mockery of international law.
Beyond the damage this will do to the international legal order, it threatens the fragile stability in the Middle East.
There needs to be an urgent international engagement to stop further crimes from being committed in Palestine.
Meanwhile, Mustafa Barghouti, secretary general of the Palestinian National Initiative, has said that the Israeli cabinet’s demands to release all the remaining hostages held by Hamas, cannot be met.
Israeli Prime Minister’s security cabinet is said to have unanimously backed US President Donald Trump’s demand that all remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza must be freed by February 15 noon.
Barghouti says the cabinet is “demanding something that is impossible, physically impossible to bring all the Israeli captives back on Saturday”.
The international community is calling for urgent engagement to prevent further conflict and protect Palestinian rights.
The situation remains volatile, with the potential for renewed fighting looming large. A peaceful resolution requires a commitment to upholding international law and respecting the rights of all parties involved.
