The Hamas announced it would be halting the release of Israeli hostages, prompting US President Donald Trump to issue an ultimatum. If the hostages are not released by February 15, Trump warned, “hell will break loose.” The Hamas had announced it would be suspending the planned release of Israeli hostages on Saturday, citing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
The Hamas has rejected Trump’s demand for the release of all hostages by Saturday, with a Hamas spokesperson stating that the initial phase of the ceasefire with Israel is the only way to ensure the release of the hostages.
In the dispute over the release of additional Israeli hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also threatened the Hamas with a resumption of “heavier battles.” “If the Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday midday, the ceasefire will end and the Israeli army will resume the heavy battles until the Hamas is decisively defeated” Netanyahu stated on Tuesday.
The Hamas announced that the release of additional prisoners was being delayed due to continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Trump’s statements on the takeover of the Gaza Strip were also rejected by the Hamas, with the group stating that they “confirm our rejection of the statements of US President Donald Trump on the displacement of our people from the Gaza Strip under the pretext of reconstruction.”
Trump’s statements were described by the Hamas as racist and a call for ethnic cleansing, aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause and denying the Palestinian people their recognized national rights.
After months of negotiations between Israel and the Hamas, the first phase of a ceasefire agreement took effect on January 19. The cease-fire is not yet secure.
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement is set to last 42 days, with hostilities ceasing. Of the original 33 remaining Israeli hostages, 33 are to be released during this period, with 16 already having been handed over. In return, around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners are to be released from Israeli jails.