Israel has warned Hamas it will resume its military operations in Gaza if the Palestinian armed group "does not return our hostages by Saturday," sparking fresh anxiety for people on both sides of the conflict.

Hamas said it will delay the release of more Israeli hostages, arguing that Israel has breached the ceasefire conditions. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has responded with the threat that if the hostage exchange doesn’t take place as scheduled then the fighting in Gaza would start again.

Israel warns it will ‘open gates of hell’ on Hamas and help create Trump’s vision of Gaza - Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders military to gather in and around territory as fears grow over fragi