Trump warns that Hamas must release remaining hostages by midday Saturday
In a tense statement, he ominously warned, “After that, I would say, all hell is going to break out.”
TroibNews 
On Monday, President Donald Trump stated that “all hell is going to break out” and called for the termination of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas if the remaining hostages are not released by noon on Saturday.
“If they’re not returned — all of them, not in dribs and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two — by Saturday at 12 o’clock,” Trump asserted. “And after that, I would say, all hell is going to break out.”
He emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with Israel but warned that “Hamas will find out” if the deadline is not met. When questioned about the possibility of U.S. involvement after noon on Saturday, he replied, “we’ll see what happens.”
Trump's comments come in response to Hamas's threat on Monday to stall the further release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, citing alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel. This potential delay presents a significant challenge to an already vulnerable agreement, especially as pressures mount in Israel following the weekend release of three malnourished Israeli hostages after extended captivity.
Last week, Trump suggested U.S. ownership of Gaza to transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” proposing the relocation of nearly 2 million Palestinians from their homeland. In a Fox News interview broadcasted Monday, he reinforced this notion, contradicting his administration's previous claims that any relocation would be temporary.
During his interview with Bret Baier, Trump expressed that Palestinians would not be allowed to return to their homeland following a U.S. takeover — remarks that could further undermine an already delicate ceasefire and impede hopes for future negotiations.
The ceasefire agreement established in January stipulated that hostages would be released in small groups in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Five groups of hostages have been released since the ceasefire commenced, including five Thai nationals. It is believed that an additional 73 hostages remain in Gaza, although some may not be alive.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
“If they’re not returned — all of them, not in dribs and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two — by Saturday at 12 o’clock,” Trump asserted. “And after that, I would say, all hell is going to break out.”
He emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with Israel but warned that “Hamas will find out” if the deadline is not met. When questioned about the possibility of U.S. involvement after noon on Saturday, he replied, “we’ll see what happens.”
Trump's comments come in response to Hamas's threat on Monday to stall the further release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, citing alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel. This potential delay presents a significant challenge to an already vulnerable agreement, especially as pressures mount in Israel following the weekend release of three malnourished Israeli hostages after extended captivity.
Last week, Trump suggested U.S. ownership of Gaza to transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” proposing the relocation of nearly 2 million Palestinians from their homeland. In a Fox News interview broadcasted Monday, he reinforced this notion, contradicting his administration's previous claims that any relocation would be temporary.
During his interview with Bret Baier, Trump expressed that Palestinians would not be allowed to return to their homeland following a U.S. takeover — remarks that could further undermine an already delicate ceasefire and impede hopes for future negotiations.
The ceasefire agreement established in January stipulated that hostages would be released in small groups in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Five groups of hostages have been released since the ceasefire commenced, including five Thai nationals. It is believed that an additional 73 hostages remain in Gaza, although some may not be alive.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
