Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that the country would resume its military offensive in Gaza if Hamas fails to uphold the ceasefire agreement and release Israeli hostages by Saturday, AFP reports.

“The new Gaza war will be different in intensity from the one before the ceasefire and it will not end without the defeat of Hamas and the release of all the hostages.

“It will also allow the realisation of US President Trump’s vision for Gaza,” Katz said, referring to Donald Trump’s plan for the US to take over the Palestinian territory.

Opinion

Editorial

A new deal
Updated 16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...
Charter of economy
16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...
Hostage seamen
16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...
Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...