U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Monday that unless Hamas releases all hostages by midday Saturday, he would consider cancelling the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, potentially escalating tensions significantly.
Trump delivered a clear ultimatum, indicating that if the hostages were not freed by the deadline, the ceasefire could be disregarded, unleashing potential chaos.
In discussions with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed his frustration over the recent condition of hostages released by Hamas and the group’s declaration that it would cease further releases. He emphasized the urgency of returning all hostages by the upcoming Saturday, advocating for their collective release rather than in smaller groups.
Furthermore, Trump suggested there could be consequences for Jordan and Egypt should they not accept Palestinian refugees relocating from Gaza, alluding to possible cuts in aid. His comments emerged amidst some confusion over his proposal for a U.S. takeover of Gaza post-conflict, which included redeveloping the area but denying Palestinians the right of return. This point contradicts earlier statements from U.S. officials.
Trump’s idea, described in a Fox News interview, involves the U.S. facilitating the resettlement of Gaza’s 2.2 million Palestinians and transforming the enclave into a thriving area, which he likened to the “Riviera of the Middle East.” This plan, however, has met with strong opposition from Gaza residents and Arab states, with criticisms labelling it as a form of ethnic cleansing.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, criticized Trump’s statements about barring Palestinians from returning to Gaza as “irresponsible,” warning that such plans could ignite regional unrest. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to support the possibility of Palestinian returns, aligning with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks that Palestinians might temporarily relocate during Gaza’s reconstruction.
Read: Trump Compares Released Israeli Hostages to Holocaust Survivors
This ongoing discourse occurs as the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas teeters on the brink of collapse following Hamas’s decision to halt the release of Israeli hostages, citing violations of the agreement by Israel. This complex situation continues to involve key regional stakeholders, including Egypt and Jordan, who have voiced concerns over any forced relocation of Palestinians potentially destabilizing the region.
