Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas if fighting resumes as both sides prepare for a return to all-out war.

Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, pledged on Wednesday that renewed fighting in Gaza would not end without the defeat of Hamas and promised to “open the gates of hell” if the terror group does not release three hostages on Saturday as planned.

“If Hamas stops the release of the hostages, then there is no agreement and there is a war,” he added.