Israel mobilizes reservists as Gaza cease-fire hangs in balance

Israel has mobilized military reservists in preparation for a potential resumption of hostilities in Gaza if Hamas fails to meet a looming deadline to release more Israeli hostages.

The fragile cease-fire, which has been in place for nearly a month, is under threat as tensions escalate between the involved parties.

Deadline approaches as cease-fire hangs in balance

The cease-fire agreement, brokered by Egypt and Qatar with U.S. support, took effect on Jan. 19. However, Hamas has accused Israel of violating the terms of the agreement and announced it was suspending further hostage releases.

The group had committed to releasing three more hostages on Saturday but has since halted the process.

Israeli officials insist that any cessation of hostage releases nullifies the ceasefire. “If Hamas stops the hostage releases, then there is no cease-fire and there is war,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated during remarks at defense headquarters in Tel Aviv.

Palestinian sources close to negotiations on Thursday reported progress in efforts to salvage the Israel-Hamas cease-fire, with a view to ensuring that a hostage-prisoner exchange goes ahead this weekend as planned.

“There is progress,” one source told Agence-France Presse (AFP), adding that mediators had obtained from Israel a “promise … to put in place a humanitarian protocol starting from this morning”.

“Hamas has confirmed to Egyptian officials its commitment … to conducting the sixth exchange of prisoners on time, on Saturday, as soon as Israel honors its commitment,” another source said.

Mediators push for cease-fire stability

Amid ongoing cease-fire discussions, Qatar and Egypt have been “working intensively” to resolve tensions surrounding the fragile truce in Gaza.

A Palestinian source said that mediators were in close contact with American officials, seeking to ensure Israel adheres to the humanitarian protocol of the cease-fire agreement and initiates talks for a second phase of negotiations.

Tensions escalated further after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened renewed military action if Hamas failed to release hostages by Saturday. “If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the cease-fire will end, and the IDF (Israeli military) will resume intense fighting until Hamas is decisively defeated,” Netanyahu stated.

Trump’s warning and regional reactions

President Donald Trump has taken a firm stance, demanding the release of all hostages by noon on Saturday. “Let hell break out” if Hamas does not comply, he said.

The situation has also sparked anger in the Arab world, particularly following Trump’s reported proposal for the United States to take over Gaza, relocate its Palestinian inhabitants, and develop an international resort in the area.

The plan has fueled additional tensions as regional leaders express concerns over its implications.

International condemnation of Trump’s proposal has continued to mount. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the plan, asserting that “Gaza is home to two million people. You cannot simply tell them to leave.”

Speaking to CNN, Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to Israel’s security but maintained that forced displacement would violate international law.

Similarly, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun rejected the proposal, emphasizing that “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians and is an integral part of the Palestinian territory.” China’s stance aligns with other international voices, including the United Nations, which has warned against actions that could amount to ethnic cleansing.

Israel strengthens military presence

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced Israel’s position, warning that “intense fighting” will resume if Hamas fails to meet the deadline.

He has ordered increased troop deployments near Gaza, and the Israeli military has begun mobilizing additional forces, including reservists, in anticipation of potential conflict.

During a White House meeting on Tuesday, Trump urged Jordan’s King Abdullah to convey to Hamas the severity of the situation should the deadline not be met, the White House said in a statement.

Diplomatic efforts ongoing

Despite the rising tensions, efforts to salvage the ceasefire continue. Hamas officials confirmed that their Gaza leader, Khalil Al-Hayya, has arrived in Cairo for talks with mediators.

“Contacts are underway with mediator countries to conclude the implementation of the ceasefire deal,” Hamas spokesperson Hazaem Qassem said.