Israel will begin Gaza war again unless Hamas releases hostages by noon Saturday, Netanyahu says

Israel will resume the war in Gaza if Hamas does not release nine hostages by the deadline of noon Saturday, officials warned.

After Hamas ordered a halt on the hostage exchanges Monday as it accused Israel of violating the cease-fire agreement,  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet warned that the deal will fall apart unless all nine hostages in the first phase of the deal are freed in the coming days, The Times of Israel reports.

“Hamas violated the agreement,” one Israeli official told TOI, “and therefore there will not be progress in continuing carrying out the agreement or in negotiations on the second stage without the return of our hostages.”