Israel’s military has called up reservists in preparation for a possible resumption of fighting in Gaza if Hamas fails to meet a Saturday deadline to release more Israeli hostages and a nearly month-old ceasefire breaks down.
Concern that the ceasefire will collapse is growing as fury mounts in Arab countries over U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for the United States to take over Gaza, resettle its Palestinian inhabitants and build an international beach resort.
Under the ceasefire deal in force since Jan.19, Hamas agreed to free three more hostages on Saturday. But the Palestinian militant group said this week it was suspending the handover over what it said were Israeli violations of the terms.
Trump responded by saying all hostages must be freed by noon on Saturday or he would “let hell break out”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then warned on Tuesday that his country would resume “intense fighting” …