Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an urgent warning to Hamas: return all Israeli hostages by noon Saturday or face severe consequences. Trump made it clear that the ceasefire in Gaza could be canceled if hostages are not released by the deadline.
He also clarified that while Israel has the power to make the final decision, this is his personal stance. His comments came after Hamas announced a delay in releasing more hostages, citing violations of the ceasefire deal by Israel.
The Current Hostage Crisis
Over the weekend, three Israeli men and five Thai citizens were freed as part of a hostage exchange. However, the upcoming exchange scheduled for this Saturday is crucial. It involves three more Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinians.
Hamas claims that Israel has violated the ceasefire. They accuse Israel of preventing displaced people from returning to northern Gaza and targeting them with shelling and gunfire. Hamas has delayed the handover of hostages until Israel meets its commitments.
Trump’s Warning and Future Actions
Trump warned that if the hostages are not returned by Saturday, “all hell will break out.” He also stressed that Israel could override his deadline, but he firmly believes the ceasefire should end if the hostages are not released.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, also issued a stern warning. He called any delay in releasing hostages a “complete violation” of the ceasefire terms and has instructed the military to remain on high alert.
Palestinian Right of Return and US Plan for Gaza
Trump also addressed the issue of Palestinians returning to Gaza. In contrast to earlier reports, Trump clarified that Palestinians would not have the right to return to Gaza under his proposed plan.
Jordan rejected Trump’s plea to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, with King Abdullah set to meet with Trump at the White House for talks.
What’s Next?
The deadline of Saturday looms large. If Hamas does not comply, the ceasefire may be canceled, and the conflict could escalate. The world is watching as tensions rise and peace efforts hang in the balance.
