Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to resume attacks on Gaza if Hamas does not release hostages by Saturday, heightening fears that a fragile three-week-old ceasefire is on the verge of unravelling.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said the cease-fire would end if Hamas did not release captives held in Gaza. But he did not say how many hostages had to be freed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that if Hamas did not release Israeli hostages by noon on Saturday a fragile ceasefire in Gaza would end and the Israeli army would resume its offensive in the Palestinian enclave until the militant group is defeated.