Trump Demands End to Gaza Ceasefire if Israeli Hostages Not Freed by Saturday

President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Hamas, stating that the Gaza ceasefire should be terminated unless all Israeli hostages are released by noon on Saturday. He warns of severe consequences if the deadline is not met.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that if Hamas does not release all remaining hostages from Gaza by noon on Saturday, Israel should call off the ceasefire and “unleash chaos.”

Before a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah, Trump hinted that he might consider withholding aid from both Jordan and Egypt if they do not support his proposal to take control of Gaza and relocate its population to these countries.

On Monday, Hamas announced a postponement in the release of Israeli hostages until further notice, alleging that Israel had violated the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Israel described the action as a “total breach” of last month’s ceasefire agreement and stated that its military was on “the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza.”

We can now share some responses from Palestinians in Gaza following Donald Trump’s statement that if Hamas doesn’t release all remaining hostages, Israel should abandon the ceasefire and “let hell break out.”

“What kind of hell? A hell worse than what we’ve already experienced? Worse than killing?” asks Rafah resident Jomaa Abu Kosh.

He adds, “The devastation and acts of violence that have occurred in the Gaza Strip are unparalleled anywhere else in the world.”

Samira al-Sabea accuses the Israelis of preventing aid from crossing in and committing acts she describes as “killing.”

She expresses: “We are humiliated; street dogs have a better life than us. God will support us more reliably than people. Trump aims to turn Gaza into hell, but that won’t happen.”

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to travel to Doha in an effort to resume the hostage release process, which was halted by Hamas.

“The appearance of life from twins Gali and Ziv Berman serves as a wake-up call for the Israeli government this morning,” reads his post on X.

Gali and Ziv Berman are 27-year-old twin brothers who were abducted from Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023, and have not yet been released by Hamas.

“Time is running out; bring everyone home,” Lapid adds.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses his deepest sympathies to the family of the late Shlomo Mansour.

In a statement, he referred to the deceased hostage as “a person who contributed significantly to building the country.”

Netanyahu claims that someone was killed during the attacks on October 7, 2023, and their body was taken to Gaza.

“We join the family in their profound grief and remain committed to seeking his return for burial in Israel, refusing to rest or be silent until this is achieved,” adds Netanyahu.

We will persistently and unwaveringly take action until all our hostages, both the living and the deceased, are returned.