The Hamas announcement that it will delay the next planned release of Israeli hostages from Gaza has threatened a fragile truce that’s seen as having the potential to wind down 16 months of war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said the cease-fire would end if Hamas did not release captives held in Gaza. But he did not say how many hostages had to be freed.

Israel's prime minister has warned it will terminate the ceasefire in Gaza and resume intense fighting "if Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon". Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the Israeli military to amass troops inside and around Gaza in response to Hamas's announcement that it was postponing freeing more hostages until further notice.