President demands immediate release of all Israeli captives, threatens end to ceasefire and severe repercussions.

In a decisive move, President Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas: release all Israeli hostages held in Gaza by noon on Saturday, or face the termination of the current ceasefire and the unleashing of severe consequences. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump declared, “If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday 12 o’clock… I would say cancel [the ceasefire] and all bets are off and let hell break out.”

This ultimatum comes in response to Hamas’s recent announcement to delay the release of hostages, citing alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida accused Israel of “delaying the return of displaced people to northern Gaza, targeting them with shelling and gunfire across various areas of the Strip and failing to allow the entry of humanitarian aid in all its forms as agreed upon.”

The ceasefire, which has been in place for three weeks, was designed to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, the process has been fraught with delays and mutual accusations of non-compliance. Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the piecemeal approach to hostage releases, stating, “We want them all back. Not in dribs and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two.”

The president’s frustration was further fueled by the condition of recently released hostages, who appeared severely emaciated and traumatized. Trump remarked, “They look like Holocaust survivors. They were in horrible condition. They were emaciated.” He added, “I don’t know how much longer we can take that… at some point we’re going to lose our patience.”

In addition to his ultimatum, Trump hinted at potential repercussions for neighboring countries, suggesting that aid to Jordan and Egypt could be withheld if they refuse to accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza. He remarked, “If they don’t agree, I would conceivably withhold it.”

Hamas has dismissed Trump’s threats, with a senior official stating that such ultimatums “have no value.” The official emphasized the importance of mutual adherence to the ceasefire terms, asserting that respecting the agreement is essential for bringing Israeli hostages home.