The Israeli leader’s warning came after Hamas said it would indefinitely postpone the next round of hostage releases.

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.

Israel's prime minister has warned it will terminate the ceasefire in Gaza and resume intense fighting "if Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon". Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the Israeli military to amass troops inside and around Gaza in response to Hamas's announcement that it was postponing freeing more hostages until further notice.