A correspondent for the American news website "Axios" said today, Wednesday, quoting a senior Israeli official, that Israel informed the Hamas movement through mediators that it would continue its obligations under the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip if the movement released the three hostages on Saturday, as previously scheduled.

The Israeli official said that the message reached Hamas through Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Hamas announced on Monday that it had postponed the release of the remaining hostages until further notice, claiming that Israel had violated the agreement, especially in the humanitarian aspects related to the entry of aid.

US President Donald Trump has warned that “the gates of hell will open” unless all Israeli captives are released by noon on Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that if Hamas did not release the hostages by Saturday, the ceasefire would end.

Israeli media reported today (Wednesday) that Netanyahu will visit the southern command of the Israeli army tomorrow (Thursday) to supervise plans to resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas does not release the detainees on Saturday.

The Israeli newspaper, The Times of Israel, said that plans are in place to resume offensive operations and confront any potential attack by Hamas if the agreement collapses.