Israel threatens to annex Gaza territory if hostages are not released.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that if Hamas continues to hold hostages, the country will permanently annex its territories in Gaza. This statement comes amid escalating tensions following Israel's decision to resume airstrikes on Gaza and deploy additional Israeli troops in Palestinian territories. The recent military actions indicate a breakdown of the ceasefire established in mid-January, as the ongoing hostage situation with Hamas seems to unravel the truce.

Meanwhile, Israel's Supreme Court temporarily suspended a cabinet decision regarding the dismissal of Shin Bet intelligence agency chief Ronen Bar on Friday. This decision was made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet on Thursday. The proposal to dismiss Bar has sparked widespread protests, with thousands of Israelis taking to the streets, arguing that the government is undermining the system of checks and balances. However, the government may choose to appeal the court's ruling, leaving Bar's position uncertain and highlighting a period of internal and external tensions for Israel.