Israel to resume “intense fighting” in Gaza if hostages not freed by Saturday | BBC News

Israel’s prime minister has warned Hamas it will end the ceasefire in Gaza and resume intense fighting if the Palestinian group "does not return our hostages by Saturday noon".

Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered Israeli forces to amass inside and around Gaza in response to Hamas’s announcement that it was postponing freeing more hostages until further notice.

Netanyahu did not specify whether he was demanding the release of all 76 remaining hostages, or just the three due to be freed this Saturday – but a minister said he meant "everyone".

Hamas has accused Israel of violating the three-week-old ceasefire deal, including by blocking vital humanitarian aid – a claim Israel has denied.

Following Netanyahu’s statement, the Palestinian militant group said it was committed to the Gaza ceasefire deal, but said Israel had failed to "abide by its commitments".

It added that Israel was "responsible for any complications or delays" in the hostage release process.

The group’s decision to delay this weekend’s scheduled release prompted US President Donald Trump to propose that Israel cancel the agreement altogether and "let hell break out" unless "all of the hostages" were returned by Saturday.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Sarah Smith, Wyre Davies and Lyse Doucet.

Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog

For more news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com/news

#BBCNews