JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday threatened to withdraw from the ceasefire in Gaza and directed troops to prepare to resume fighting Hamas if the militant group does not r elease more hostages on Saturday.

The Israeli prime minister says the military will "return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated" if the hostages are not freed.

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.