Trump warns Hamas on hostage release deadline
President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Hamas, stating that if all hostages are not returned by noon on Saturday, he will call for the cancellation of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and allow “all hell to break loose.” Trump’s comments came after signing executive orders in the Oval Office on Monday evening.
The President emphasized that Hamas must release all hostages at once, not in small increments. He declared, “Saturday at 12pm and after that, I would say, all hell is going to break loose.” This ultimatum comes after Hamas announced a delay in the release of hostages, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement.
A spokesperson for Hamas, Abu Obeida, stated that the release of Zionist prisoners will be postponed until further notice due to Israel’s alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement. Obeida cited instances where Israel failed to fulfill its obligations, such as delaying the return of displaced individuals to the northern Gaza Strip and targeting civilians with shelling and gunfire.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which began six weeks ago, involves the release of 33 hostages captured in a 2023 attack by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Both parties have conducted several swaps, with the latest exchange scheduled for next Saturday. However, Hamas’ decision to halt the release of Israeli hostages has been condemned by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz as a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Trump expressed concern over the condition of the released Israeli hostages, describing them as looking like “Holocaust survivors” and appearing malnourished. He warned that patience may wear thin if such treatment continues.
The situation in the Gaza Strip remains tense as the deadline for the release of hostages approaches. The international community is closely monitoring the developments, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Sources:
– Fox News
– Associated Press
