Trump Threatens to End Ceasefire if Hostages Are Not Released
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Monday that if all hostages held in Gaza are not returned by Saturday at noon, he would propose canceling the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and allowing “all hell to break loose.”
Speaking at the Oval Office, Trump also suggested withholding aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to accept Palestinian refugees being relocated from Gaza.
Hamas Halts Hostage Releases Amid Ceasefire Dispute
Earlier on Monday, Hamas announced it would halt the release of Israeli hostages indefinitely, citing alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. The militant group was scheduled to release more hostages on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Following Hamas’ announcement, thousands gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Monday night, urging the Israeli government to secure the safe return of captives.
“Every single person that doesn’t belong there needs to come home now,” said protester Shoshana Brickman.
Hamas stated it gave early notice of the suspension to allow mediators to pressure Israel into fulfilling its obligations and keeping the deal intact.
Read More: Ceasefire Day One 90 Palestinian Prisoners and 3 Israeli Hostages Released
Israel Prepares for Possible Conflict Resumption
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared that Hamas’ move violated the ceasefire and ordered military forces to remain on high alert.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday to discuss the situation. Meanwhile, Egyptian mediators expressed concerns that the ceasefire agreement might collapse, as Qatar and Egypt continue efforts to salvage the deal.
So far, 16 out of the 33 hostages set to be released in the first phase of the 42-day deal have returned home, along with five Thai nationals freed in an unexpected release. In exchange, Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences for deadly attacks.
Disputes Over Humanitarian Aid and Housing
Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by delaying Palestinian civilians from returning to northern Gaza, firing on civilians, and restricting humanitarian aid. Israel denies these claims, arguing that Hamas has mishandled hostage releases and staged public spectacles during handovers.
Aid organizations report an increase in humanitarian assistance entering Gaza since the ceasefire, though Hamas claims that essential supplies, including 60,000 mobile homes and 200,000 tents, have been blocked.
An official involved in the ceasefire negotiations told Reuters that Israel had refused requests from the United Nations and Qatar to allow temporary housing units into Gaza for displaced civilians.
Trump’s Controversial Remarks on Gaza’s Future
Trump’s recent comments about permanently relocating Palestinians from Gaza have sparked global debate. In a Fox News interview, he suggested developing Gaza as a U.S.-controlled waterfront real estate project, stating that Palestinians should not have the right of return.
“I’m talking about building a permanent place for them because it’ll be years before (Gaza is) habitable,” he said, adding that he could negotiate a deal with Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinian refugees.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s proposal upon returning from Washington, though details of any formal agreement remain unclear.
Meanwhile, Israeli negotiators have returned from ceasefire talks in Qatar, amid doubts over the long-term viability of the truce. A Palestinian official close to the negotiations said progress has stalled due to deep mistrust between both sides.
Public Opinion on the Ceasefire Deal
Israelis were shocked by the emaciated condition of three recently released hostages—Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy—adding to tensions surrounding the negotiations.
A Channel 13 poll released on Monday indicated that 67% of Israelis supported advancing to the next phase of the hostage exchange deal, while 19% opposed it. However, the poll was conducted before Hamas announced its decision to halt releases.
