The military is preparing to potentially resume fighting following Hamas's announcement that it would delay releasing hostages.

Hamas released the bodies of four Israeli hostages Thursday, parading four black caskets on a stage against a backdrop of propaganda slogans and behind white missiles spattered with red paint bearing the phrase “they were killed by USA bombs.

Sayed, the sixth hostage released in the seventh round of exchanges between Israel and Hamas, was transferred to IDF custody. Al-Sayed was kidnapped after crossing the border into Gaza in 2014.

Former Israeli military officials discuss how President Donald Trump's threats against Hamas could play out in Gaza, and what strategies the IDF could adopt if they go back into the enclave.

"We're getting close to this moment where there will be a last stand and a decisive battle," an IDF brigadier general told Newsweek.

"The decision that I passed unanimously in the cabinet is this: If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon—the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated,

Like previous releases in recent weeks, Hamas organized a public "ceremony" and paraded Sagui Dekel Chen, Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn before handing them over to the Red Cross. 36 Palestinian prisoners who were serving life sentences for murdering Israelis and 333 Palestinians who were detained by the IDF in Gaza during the war were released on Saturday.

The IDF would need an additional three to four days to flesh out pockets of Hamas fighters who took up smaller positions or who were hiding in ambush in various areas.

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon is calling on the international body to issue a formal condemnation of Hamas and the atrocities it has committed since the Oct. 7 attacks.

Hamas freed more hostages on Saturday in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners as part of the delicate ceasefire agreement with Israel.