Israeli PM Netanyahu warns Hamas to release hostages by Saturday or ceasefire will end

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Hamas that the Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not release Israeli hostages by this Saturday.

Netanyahu says the Israeli military is ready to return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated.

Hamas had earlier said that it would not release three Israeli hostages as planned this weekend, because of alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump says he does not think Hamas will "make the deadline" and adds that Israel should "let hell break out" if Hamas does not release all remaining hostages.

Trump is hosting Jordan's King Abdullah after suggesting he may withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt if they don't cooperate with his plan to take control of Gaza and resettle the population in the two countries.

In total, 17 Israeli hostages were still due to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire, eight of whom Israel says are dead.

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have been freed by Israel so far.

Source: BBC News