Israel will resume war if no more hostages released

ISRAEL will resume its war against Hamas if the terror group does not free more hostages on Saturday, PM Benjamin Netanyahu has warned.

- Marco Giannangeli

He has ordered a troop surge in Gaza after Hamas said it would delay the release of three people.

It blamed delays in allowing some Palestinians to return home, failure to deliver heavy equipment and not allowing in aid.

But some experts fear the reaction to the emaciated returnees and accounts of torture have led the group to conclude that a full end to the war is impossible and it is seeking ways to blame Israel.

Donald Trump said if the remaining hostages were not freed by Saturday, "all hell is going to break out".

While hosting Jordan's King Abdullah at the White House yesterday, Mr Trump said: "I don't think they're going to make the deadline, personally. They want to play tough guy. We'll see how tough they are."

The US president also renewed his suggestions Gaza could be cleared of residents, controlled by the US and redeveloped as a tourist area.

Emaciated