Hamas indefinitely suspended the release of hostages on Monday, accusing Israel of breaching ceasefire obligations. The group accused Israel of delaying the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, carrying out strikes across the enclave and hindering the entry of humanitarian aid.

Netanyahu’s ultimatum on Tuesday came after Hamas’s announcement that it was delaying “until further notice” the planned release of three hostages on Saturday in protest at alleged Israeli violations of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement reached last month.