President Donald Trump warned on Monday that if all Israeli hostages in Gaza are not returned by Saturday at noon, he would propose canceling the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and allowing “all hell to break loose.”
Earlier on Monday, Hamas threatened to delay the next scheduled hostage release, set for Saturday, “until further notice,” accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement (Hamas Freezes Next Hostage Release).
Trump called Hamas’s statement “terrible” and said he would “leave it up to Israel” to decide what should ultimately happen to the ceasefire.
After the Hamas announcement, Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to “prepare at the highest level of alertness for any possible scenario in Gaza and to protect the settlements.”
“Hamas’s announcement of the cessation of the release of the Israeli hostages is a complete violation of the ceasefire agreement and the deal for the release of the hostages,’ said Katz, vowing, “We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7.”
President Trump, for his part, told reporters in the Oval Office, “As far as I’m concerned if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 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.”
“I’d say they ought to be returned by 12 o’clock on Saturday, and if they’re not returned – all of them, not in drips and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two. Saturday at 12 o’clock, and after that, I would say, all hell is going to break out.”
When asked what “all hell” means for Gaza, Trump said, “You’ll find out, and they’ll find out — Hamas will find out what I mean. These are sick people.”
He then added, “I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it, but for myself, Saturday at 12 o’clock, and if they’re not – if they’re not here, all hell is going to break out.”
Trump told the reporters he had not yet spoken to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the timeline he suggested.
According to Kan11 News, citing two sources involved in the negotiations, the crisis with Hamas revolves around humanitarian aid, including tents, caravans, and medical equipment, which Israel is allegedly not delivering to Gaza. However, Israel estimates that the issue will be resolved in the coming days and that the ceasefire scheduled for Saturday will proceed as planned.
