A sudden demand from President Donald Trump places the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire under immense pressure.
According to Breitbart News, Trump issued an ultimatum demanding Hamas release all remaining Israeli and American hostages from Gaza by noon on Saturday, threatening to terminate the ceasefire agreement if the terrorist organization fails to comply.
The president's announcement came in response to Hamas delaying the release of hostages in the initial phase of the six-week ceasefire agreement. Trump expressed particular concern about the condition of recently released hostages, comparing their emaciated state to Holocaust survivors after World War II.
Hamas delays prompt strong response from White House
The militant group's decision to postpone hostage releases cited alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire terms. This delay affects 17 hostages scheduled for release during the first phase of negotiations. The situation becomes more complex with 73 hostages still remaining in Gaza, though the exact number of survivors remains uncertain.
Trump delivered his message from the Oval Office while signing executive orders, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. His statement made clear that if Hamas fails to meet the Saturday deadline, all previous agreements would become void, allowing Israel to respond as it sees fit.
The president's position marks a significant shift from the earlier multi-phase release plan supported by the Biden administration. Trump had previously issued warnings about consequences for Hamas, notably in December when he threatened "ALL HELL TO PAY" if hostages weren't released by January 20.
Current hostage situation remains complex amid negotiations
The existing agreement structure divides the hostage releases into multiple phases. Current figures indicate that beyond the 17 hostages scheduled for the first phase, dozens more would have remained in captivity until a second phase of negotiations.
Trump addressed concerns about the ultimatum's implementation, acknowledging Israel's autonomy in the final decision. He specifically stated that while he speaks for himself, Israel maintains the authority to override his position.
The timing specifics of the ultimatum remain somewhat ambiguous, as Trump did not clarify whether the Saturday noon deadline refers to Eastern time or local time in Israel and Gaza. This detail adds another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.
Ultimatum raises stakes in ongoing Middle East crisis
The new ultimatum represents an escalation in diplomatic pressure on Hamas. Trump's shift away from the phased approach signals growing impatience with the current pace of hostage releases.
Global reaction to the condition of released hostages appears to have influenced this hardened stance. The international community's shock at the physical state of freed captives has added urgency to efforts for remaining hostages' release.
The president summarized his position with characteristic directness. According to Trump: "All bets are off ... let hell break out."
This statement encapsulates the administration's willingness to support more aggressive measures if Hamas fails to comply with the demand for complete hostage release by the specified deadline.
