Hamas has said it will not accept threats from the United States and Israel over the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza, as mediators from Egypt and Qatar intensify efforts to salvage the truce. The Palestinian militant group accused Israel of violating the agreement and insisted that Israel must commit to implementing the terms for the release of hostages.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated on Wednesday: “Our position is clear, and we will not accept the language of American and Israeli threats. Israel must commit to implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement for the release” of the hostages. The statement came amid an impasse over the implementation of the ceasefire deal, with Hamas delaying the next planned release of three Israeli hostages scheduled for Saturday.
Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, warned that the country would resume its war in Gaza if Hamas fails to uphold the ceasefire and release hostages by Saturday. Katz said “all hell would break loose” if Hamas stops freeing hostages, echoing a threat by US President Donald Trump who has said there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages are not freed. The White House said Trump told Jordanian King Abdullah to ensure Hamas understands the “severity of the situation”.
Israel’s military has called up reservists in preparation for a possible resumption of fighting in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that he had directed the Israeli army to increase reinforcements in the Gaza area “in preparation for various scenarios”. The Israel Defense Forces announced it was deploying additional forces to Israel’s south, including mobilising reservists.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah stressed the need for Gaza to be rebuilt without displacing Palestinians, and called for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement. The International Committee of the Red Cross also urged both sides to maintain the ceasefire, warning that people in Gaza “need respite from violence and access to lifesaving humanitarian aid”.
Meanwhile, the US has authorised a “long term” Israeli troop presence in southern Lebanon, according to Israeli reports, while Israel has reportedly requested to keep its troops in multiple posts until 18 February. The Israeli military said it struck two people in the southern Gaza Strip who were flying a drone, and Gaza’s health ministry reported that a 44-year-old man was killed in an Israeli strike near Rafah.
