Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning on Wednesday, threatening to resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas fails to adhere to the terms of a US-brokered ceasefire. The statement followed Hamas’s return of the remains of two deceased hostages, with the group claiming it cannot retrieve additional bodies without specialized equipment. Since the ceasefire began on Monday, Hamas has released 20 living hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails. However, tensions remain high as Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, stated that the two bodies returned would be the last for now, citing logistical challenges. Katz’s office emphasized that Israel, in coordination with the US, would resume fighting to achieve a total defeat of Hamas if the agreement is violated. Meanwhile, Israel transferred 45 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, bringing the total returned to 90, as part of the Trump-mediated deal. The ceasefire has also raised humanitarian concerns, with UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urging Israel to open all crossings into Gaza for aid delivery. The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s sole connection to the world outside Israel, remains closed, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, has left Gaza in dire straits, with famine declared by the UN in August. Israel and the US continue to insist that Hamas must have no role in Gaza’s future governance, adding another layer of complexity to the fragile ceasefire.
Israel threatens to resume fighting if Hamas does not respect Gaza truce deal
