The defence minister, Israel Katz, said if fighting resumed it would not just lead to the “defeat of Hamas and the release of all the hostages” – Israel’s stated objectives since the start of the war – but also “allow the realisation of US President Trump’s vision for Gaza”.
Israel and Hamas have traded accusations of violating the 19 January ceasefire, with the Palestinian group saying it would pause releases and Israel threatening the resumption of war in the Gaza Strip.
The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, whose country is Israel’s top backer and one of the truce mediators, is due to arrive in Israel late on Saturday before expected talks with Netanyahu on the truce.
Last week’s release caused anger in Israel and beyond after the freed hostages were paraded onstage by Hamas, with their emaciated state raising concerns over conditions in captivity.
Israel later insisted Hamas release “three living hostages” on Saturday or “the ceasefire will end”.
