Trump issues ultimatum to Hamas over Gaza ceasefire and hostages

Tuesday 11 February 2025 - 07:34

The U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded that Hamas release all remaining Israeli hostages by noon on Saturday, warning that if this does not happen, the ceasefire in Gaza should be revoked and "all hell is going to break out."

Trump's remarks came after Hamas announced delays in the release of hostages, accusing Israel of violating their ceasefire agreement. While signing a series of executive orders, Trump expressed concerns that many of the hostages expected to be freed might already be dead.

Regarding his ultimatum, he stated, "If they're not here, all hell is going to break out." However, he acknowledged that the decision to end the ceasefire ultimately rests with Israel, adding, "I'm speaking for myself. Israel can override it."

Additionally, Trump suggested that Palestinians would not have the right to return under his proposed U.S. administration plan for Gaza, contradicting statements from his own officials who indicated that they would be temporarily relocated. Meanwhile, Jordan has rejected calls to resettle displaced Palestinians, with King Abdullah scheduled to meet Trump at the White House for discussions.

Hostage Release and Ceasefire Tensions

On Monday, Hamas claimed that Israel had violated the ceasefire by delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza and targeting them with shelling and gunfire. A Hamas spokesperson stated that while the group remains committed to the agreement, the handover of hostages set for February 15 was postponed until Israel fully complies with the deal.

Egyptian mediators expressed concerns that the truce may collapse, citing Hamas’s belief that Israel is not serious about upholding its commitments. The ceasefire, which began on January 19, has seen multiple exchanges of hostages and prisoners.

The latest release involved three Israeli men, while previous exchanges freed five Thai citizens and several Palestinian prisoners. So far, five rounds of swaps have occurred, with 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners released. The next exchange was set to include three more Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian detainees.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any delay in hostage releases would be considered a "complete violation" of the agreement, placing Israeli troops on high alert. The Hostages and Missing Family Forum urged international mediators to intervene, highlighting the dire conditions of those recently released.

As part of the truce, Israeli forces withdrew from a key passage in Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return. However, delays in the withdrawal, coupled with incidents of Israeli troops firing near civilians, have fueled further tensions.

Amid stalled negotiations on extending the ceasefire beyond its initial six-week phase, an Israeli delegation has arrived in Qatar for further talks. Israel has maintained that a full withdrawal from Gaza will only happen once Hamas's military and political capabilities are dismantled, while Hamas insists it will not release the remaining hostages unless Israel completely pulls out of the territory.