TEL AVIV, February 10. /TASS/. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Hamas announcement about suspending the release of hostages constitutes a violation of the ceasefire deal and said he ordered the military to prepare for "any scenario" in Gaza.

"The Hamas statement is a complete violation of the ceasefire deal and the agreement to release the abductees. I have instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare at the highest level of readiness for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect [Israeli border] settlements," the minister said, the Ynet news website reported.