U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that if all hostages held in Gaza are not returned by Saturday at noon, he would propose canceling the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and allowing “all hell to break loose.”
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump also mentioned that he might withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to accept Palestinian refugees being relocated from Gaza.
Earlier on Monday, Hamas announced it would halt the release of Israeli hostages indefinitely, citing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, heightening concerns of renewed conflict.
Hamas had been set to release more Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and other detained Palestinians, as had been happening over the past three weeks. However, following Hamas’ unexpected announcement, hostage families and supporters gathered at “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv to urge the government not to abandon the deal.
Protester Shoshana Brickman stated, “Every single person that doesn’t belong there needs to come home now. Every single person, all the hostages, all of them.”
Hamas announced its decision five days in advance so mediators could pressure Israel to honor its ceasefire obligations and ensure the exchange proceeds as planned.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned Hamas’ move as a ceasefire violation and ordered the military to remain on high alert.
An Israeli official confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would convene a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.
Egyptian security sources reported that mediators fear a breakdown of the ceasefire agreement. Qatar and Egypt had brokered the deal alongside the United States.
So far, 16 out of the 33 hostages scheduled for release in the first 42-day phase have returned home, along with five Thai hostages who were released unexpectedly. In return, Israel has freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including individuals serving life sentences for deadly attacks.
Housing Issues:
Hamas military spokesperson Abu Ubaida accused Israel of ceasefire violations, including preventing Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, shelling, and blocking humanitarian aid from entering the region.
Conversely, Israel accused Hamas of failing to follow the agreed-upon order of hostage releases and staging humiliating public spectacles before large crowds during the transfers.
Aid organizations reported an increase in humanitarian aid flow to Gaza since the ceasefire, while Israel denied Hamas’ claim of obstruction.
An official familiar with the ceasefire negotiations stated that Israel rejected requests from the U.N., Qatar, and others to allow temporary housing units for displaced people.
Hamas alleged that Israel blocked 60,000 mobile houses, 200,000 tents, and heavy machinery for clearing debris.
Trump recently suggested relocating Palestinians out of Gaza and transforming the coastal enclave into a U.S.-controlled waterfront real estate project.
In a Fox News interview excerpt released Monday, Trump stated that Palestinians would not have the right of return to Gaza, adding, “I’m talking about building a permanent place for them because it’ll be years before (Gaza is) habitable.”
Upon returning from Washington, Netanyahu praised Trump’s proposal.
An Israeli delegation returned from ceasefire talks in Qatar, raising doubts about the ongoing negotiations.
A Palestinian official involved in the discussions cited mutual distrust as a barrier to progress.
The frail condition of three hostages released on Saturday has shocked Israelis.
A Channel 13 poll indicated that 67% of Israelis supported moving to the next phase of the deal, while 19% opposed it. However, the poll was conducted before Hamas postponed the process.
