Israel has begun mobilising military reservists as tensions rise over a looming deadline for Hamas to free Israeli hostages. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that failure to release captives by Saturday will lead to renewed conflict.
Israel has begun calling up military reservists, bracing for a possible return to war in Gaza if Hamas fails to release hostages by Saturday, the agreed deadline under the ceasefire deal.
Concerns over the truce’s collapse have grown as outrage spreads in the Arab world over Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza, relocate Palestinian residents, and develop an international beach resort.
Hamas, which previously agreed to release three more hostages on Saturday, has halted the process, accusing Israel of breaking the ceasefire terms. Trump responded with a stern ultimatum: “All hostages must be freed by noon on Saturday, or I will let hell break out.”
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that “if Hamas stops the hostage releases, then there is no ceasefire—there is war.” He said renewed fighting would be “of another intensity altogether” and would bring Trump’s Gaza plan into reality.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Katz’s warning, saying Israel would resume “intense fighting” if Hamas failed to meet the deadline. However, he did not specify how many hostages must be freed.
The Israeli military has begun deploying additional troops to the south and activating reservists in preparation for potential action in Gaza. Netanyahu said he had instructed the military to be “ready for all scenarios.”
At the White House, Trump asked Jordan’s King Abdullah to ensure Hamas understands the severity of the situation.
Residents in Gaza fear that renewed fighting will make the humanitarian crisis even worse. “We had barely started believing that a truce would happen and that a solution was on the way,” said Lotfy Abu Taha, a resident of Rafah. “The people are suffering. The people are the victims.”
The armed wing of Hamas ally Islamic Jihad warned that the fate of Israeli hostages was now directly tied to Netanyahu’s decisions. “The only way to retrieve hostages and for stability to return is through a swap deal,” a spokesperson said.
Anger over Trump’s vision for Gaza is growing. Two Egyptian security officials said that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi would not travel to Washington if discussions included the U.S. plan to relocate Palestinians. Egypt’s presidency has not commented on the matter.
A vehicle crashed into a crowd at a Filipino festival in Vancouver, killing 11 and injuring dozens.
Thousands gathered in Rome on Sunday to pay their respects at Pope Francis' tomb in Santa Maria Maggiore. In a historic break from tradition, he chose to be buried outside the Vatican. His simple resting place reflected his humility and deep devotion to Mary.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 27th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met ahead of Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, according to sources.
Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged gunfire for a second consecutive day on Saturday, as relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors deteriorated following a deadly attack on tourists in India’s Kashmir region.
U.S. President Donald Trump says his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskiyy went well, while expressing disappointment in Russia’s continued strikes on Ukrainian civilians.
North Korea has officially acknowledged it deployed troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine, calling it a demonstration of its firm alliance with Moscow.
The Indian Navy has tested anti-ship missiles after a deadly Kashmir attack further strained already fragile ties with Pakistan.
Greenland’s prime minister has ruled out any U.S. takeover of the Arctic territory, stressing that Greenland is not a piece of property to be bought.
Thousands of Pakistanis gathered in Lahore to express solidarity with Palestinians, launching a new alliance to coordinate protests and boycotts.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
A deadly attack targeting tourists in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory has left at least 20 feared dead, marking the deadliest incident against civilians in the region for years, according to security sources.
President Ilham Aliyev extended condolences to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the Shahid Rajaee Port explosion in Bandar Abbas, expressing deep sorrow and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured on behalf of himself and the Azerbaijani people.
Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged gunfire for a second consecutive day on Saturday, as relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors deteriorated following a deadly attack on tourists in India’s Kashmir region.
The Syrian Ministry of Defense on Thursday accused Hezbollah militias of firing artillery shells from Lebanese territory toward Syrian army positions in the al-Qusayr area west of Homs.
Saudi Arabia on Friday unveiled its annual report highlighting the Kingdom’s advancements toward achieving the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 during the year 2024.
On April 25, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu to discuss the South Caucasus, peace talks with Armenia, and strengthening bilateral cooperation. Aliyev emphasized dismantling the OSCE Minsk Group and securing Azerbaijan’s sovereignty.
U.S. President Donald Trump says his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskiyy went well, while expressing disappointment in Russia’s continued strikes on Ukrainian civilians.
North Korea has officially acknowledged it deployed troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine, calling it a demonstration of its firm alliance with Moscow.
The Indian Navy has tested anti-ship missiles after a deadly Kashmir attack further strained already fragile ties with Pakistan.
Greenland’s prime minister has ruled out any U.S. takeover of the Arctic territory, stressing that Greenland is not a piece of property to be bought.
Thousands of Pakistanis gathered in Lahore to express solidarity with Palestinians, launching a new alliance to coordinate protests and boycotts.
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