On Monday, President Donald Trump delivered a strong warning to Hamas, demanding that all remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza be released by noon on Saturday. He warned that if Hamas fails to comply, “all hell is going to break loose.” The ultimatum comes amid rising tensions, as delays in releasing hostages threaten the fragile ceasefire.
What Led to Trump’s Ultimatum?
The ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, was negotiated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt. It outlined the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Three weeks into this agreement, about half of the Israeli hostages scheduled for release had been freed. However, 76 hostages still remain under Hamas’ control, including elderly civilians, such as 86-year-old Shlomo Mantzur, who was reportedly murdered by Hamas.
Hamas recently announced a delay in the next hostage release, which was originally set for Saturday. Hamas officials accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire by launching airstrikes and restricting humanitarian aid. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Hamas had violated the agreement and ordered the military to maintain high alert.
Trump’s Stance on the Ceasefire
When asked whether the ceasefire would end, President Trump emphasized that the decision was ultimately Israel’s to make. However, he suggested that canceling the ceasefire would be “appropriate” if hostages were not freed by his Saturday deadline. Trump criticized the current system of releasing hostages gradually and insisted that all of them be freed at once.
“I’d say they ought to be returned by 12 o’clock on Saturday,” Trump stated. “All of them, not in drips and drabs.”
Hamas Responds to Trump’s Warning
Senior Hamas officials, including spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri, rejected Trump’s ultimatum, calling it a threat that “further complicates matters.” According to Hamas, the only way to resolve the issue is by respecting the original agreement. Abu Zuhri warned that threats from Trump could derail ongoing negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire.
Ongoing Hostage Releases
Since the ceasefire began, Israel and Hamas have conducted five exchanges, freeing 18 Israeli hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners. However, concerns are growing over the physical and mental state of the hostages being released. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum recently reported that several freed hostages were in a frail, emaciated condition, with signs of severe mistreatment.
International Reactions
Trump’s demand for the immediate release of hostages has drawn mixed reactions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Trump’s approach “creative and revolutionary,” offering full support for the plan. However, other nations in the region and beyond have condemned the suggestion that Gaza’s population should be relocated to neighboring countries, an idea that Trump has repeatedly proposed.
As tensions remain high, the upcoming Saturday deadline will be crucial in determining whether hostages will be freed peacefully or if the situation will escalate further.
President Trump’s ultimatum to Hamas reflects a growing urgency to resolve the hostage crisis, but it also risks further destabilizing the ceasefire. As both sides exchange accusations of violations, the world is watching closely to see whether negotiations will prevail or if conflict will reignite. With the Saturday deadline looming, the situation remains on a knife’s edge, with significant implications for peace in the region.
