US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to the Hamas group, demanding the release of all remaining hostages by noon on Saturday. He stated that if the deadline isn’t met, he would allow Israel to end the current cease-fire and “let hell break out” in the region.
“If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock — an appropriate time — I’d say cancel it, and all bets are off. Let hell break out,” Trump said Monday night in the Oval Office. He did not specify which time zone the deadline referred to.
Trump emphasized that all hostages must be released at once, not in small groups. “All of them, not in dribs and drabs, not two and one and three and four. By Saturday at 12 o’clock, if they’re not returned, all hell is going to break out,” he said.
While Trump did not rule out deploying US troops, he said, “We’ll see what happens,” and remained vague about what consequences would follow. “You’ll find out, and they’ll find out too. Hamas will find out what I mean,” he said, without clarifying if he referred to Israeli or US military action.
He added that he was speaking on behalf of himself, allowing Israel to “override” his statements. “But from myself, Saturday at 12 o’clock, and if they’re not here, all hell is going to break out,” Trump reiterated.
Expressing concerns over the hostages’ conditions, Trump accused Hamas of mistreating those who had been released. Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy, three Israelis freed on Saturday, were severely malnourished and had lost significant weight after 16 months in captivity. Trump compared their condition to that of “Holocaust victims.”
Hamas announced Monday it was canceling a planned hostage release, accusing Israel of not fulfilling its obligations under the cease-fire. Abu Obeida, a spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, stated the hostages would not be released until Israel compensated for its alleged violations of the agreement.
