Donald Trump has said that if all Israeli hostages held in Gaza are not returned by noon on Saturday, he would propose cancelling the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and letting “all hell break loose”. The US president also threatened to withhold aid from Jordan and Egypt if they do not accept Palestinian refugees being relocated from Gaza under his plan for US control of the territory.
Trump’s comments came as Hamas announced an indefinite delay in releasing hostages, citing Israeli violations of the ceasefire deal. Israel’s defence minister subsequently placed the military on alert and ordered preparations for “any scenario in Gaza”. The three-week-old ceasefire had already faced growing strains over the long-term future of the strip.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump called Hamas’s statement “terrible” and said the hostages should be freed “not in dribs and drabs”. He said he had not spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about his proposed deadline, but added: “Israel can override it, but for myself, Saturday at 12 o’clock – and if they’re not here, all hell is going to break out.” When asked about concrete measures he was threatening, Trump replied: “You’ll find out.”
Trump also indicated he might cut aid to Jordan and Egypt, key US allies, unless they agree to his plan for the US to “take over” Gaza and relocate millions of Palestinians – a move that would amount to effective ethnic cleansing. Egypt earlier rejected any compromise that infringes on Palestinians’ rights, and Egyptian security sources said mediators fear the ceasefire could collapse.
Israel’s security cabinet moved forward its meeting on the second phase of negotiations, and the military cancelled all leave for soldiers in the Gaza division, signalling preparations for a possible resumption of war. Before Trump’s ultimatum, Hamas said the “door remains open” for the next hostage exchange on Saturday if Israel meets its obligations.
