Hamas has dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that “all hell” will break loose if the group does not release the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza by Saturday.
Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri reiterated that the hostages would only be freed if Israel upholds a ceasefire agreement reached last month. “Trump must remember there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties,” he stated.
The fragile ceasefire, which has allowed for hostage exchanges and humanitarian aid deliveries, is at risk of collapsing. A failure to reach a lasting agreement could reignite violence and worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Trump’s call for Israel to abandon the truce if Hamas doesn’t comply adds more uncertainty to an already unstable situation.
Hamas has threatened to delay the scheduled release of three Israeli hostages on Saturday, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire by blocking humanitarian aid, including tents and shelters, from reaching civilians. Zuhri warned that U.S. threats would not change Hamas's position.
Trump declared on Monday that Israel should cancel the ceasefire if Hamas does not release all hostages by midday Saturday, though he acknowledged that the final decision rests with Israeli leadership. His comments have sparked concerns about a possible return to military action.
Ceasefire Under Strain
As part of the initial phase of the truce, Hamas agreed to release 33 hostages captured during its 2023 attack in exchange for Israel freeing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Since January 19, five exchanges have taken place, resulting in the release of 21 hostages and more than 730 Palestinian detainees.
However, the second phase of the ceasefire—requiring Hamas to release all remaining hostages in exchange for an extended truce—has not yet been resolved. Israeli officials warn that if no agreement is reached, military operations may resume as early as March.
How Did the Latest Conflict in Gaza Start?
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 200 hostages. Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza has resulted in more than 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities. These figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Israel claims to have killed around 17,000 Hamas fighters but has not provided evidence.
President Donald Trump said: “If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday 12 o’clock—I think it’s an appropriate time—I would say cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out.”
Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri, quoted by the AP: “The language of threats has no value; it only complicates matters.”
With the ceasefire on the brink of collapse, Israel’s security cabinet is considering whether to resume military operations. If Hamas does not proceed with the next hostage release, Israeli forces may launch renewed strikes. The next few days will determine whether diplomacy can salvage the ceasefire or if hostilities will escalate once again.
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