Israel's defense minister has warned Hamas that the fighting in the Gaza Strip will be even more intense than before the ceasefire unless the Palestinian Islamic group releases Israeli hostages as planned.

Israel Katz said on Wednesday, "If Hamas does not release the Israeli hostages by Saturday, the gates of hell will open on them just as the US president promised."

He went on to say, "The new Gaza war will be different in intensity from the one before the ceasefire."

The remarks followed Monday's announcement by Hamas that it would delay the sixth round of hostage releases, scheduled for Saturday.

Hamas accused Israel of violating the six-week ceasefire agreement, saying it had failed to fully allow aid supplies to enter the Gaza Strip.

Hamas revealed on Wednesday that its delegation held a meeting in Egypt to discuss how to respond going forward. Egypt is acting as a mediator for the negotiations with Israel.

An Arab media outlet quoted Egyptian sources as saying things are heading toward a breakthrough, consolidating the ceasefire agreement, and resuming the release of detainees from both sides.

But it remains to be seen whether the ceasefire agreement will be steadily implemented.