Trump Issues Warning to Hamas on Hostage Release

On Monday, President Trump warned Hamas that if all the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza are not released by noon on Saturday, “all hell is going to break loose.”
When reporters asked for more clarification on his statement, Mr. Trump initially replied, “You’ll find out, and they’ll find out, too. Hamas will find out what I mean.” He went on to explain that whether the ceasefire, which began on January 19, should end would be “Israel’s decision,” but he believed it would be “appropriate” to end the agreement if the hostages weren’t released by his deadline.
According to the ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, 33 Israeli hostages were set to be freed during the first six-week phase, in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners being released from Israeli prisons.
By Monday, three weeks into phase one, around half of the hostages scheduled for release had been freed, adhering to the timeline outlined in the deal.
While signing executive orders at the White House, Mr. Trump commented on the situation involving hostages. His remarks came shortly after Hamas announced that the planned release of hostages, which was set for Saturday, would be delayed. A spokesperson for Hamas accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire agreement by continuing airstrikes on Palestinians in Gaza.
Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, stated that Israel’s actions included preventing displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, carrying out airstrikes and gunfire across various parts of the Gaza Strip, and blocking the entry of humanitarian aid as agreed.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, described Hamas’ decision to postpone the next round of hostage releases as a “complete violation” of the ceasefire deal. He mentioned that he had directed the Israeli military to remain on high alert. The Israeli government’s coordinator for hostages reaffirmed the country’s commitment to honouring its part of the agreement.
However, former President Donald Trump warned that the deal could be jeopardised, suggesting that the delayed release of hostages on Saturday, initially expected to involve the release of three hostages in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners, should instead include all of the remaining hostages..
Mr. Trump stated, “I would say they should be returned by 12 o’clock on Saturday. All of them, not in bits and pieces—no two, one, three, or four at a time.”
A senior Hamas official informed a news agency on Tuesday that Mr. Trump’s comments regarding the hostages “make things more difficult.” This came just days after talks were expected to begin in earnest to establish the conditions for the second phase of the ceasefire.
Sami Abu Zuhri remarked, “Trump needs to recall that there is an agreement that both sides must honour, and this is the only way to bring back the prisoners (hostages).” He added, “The use of threats is meaningless and only makes matters more complicated.”
In a different part of an interview that aired on Monday, Mr. Trump declared that Palestinians would not be permitted to return to Gaza, adding that he would “own this.” He was referring to his previous remarks where he suggested the U.S. would “take over” and “own” the Gaza Strip and that Palestinians should not come back.
Since the ceasefire began last month, Israel and Hamas have conducted five prisoner swaps, releasing 18 hostages, including Keith Siegel, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, along with more than 730 Palestinian detainees.
The most recent swap, which occurred on February 8, raised concerns due to the frail and weakened appearance of the three male hostages freed by Hamas. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum noted that the men had “endured hell itself” based on their condition.
The proposal presented by the president has gained growing support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Monday described it as “new, creative, and revolutionary.” However, it has faced widespread criticism from numerous countries in the region and globally, including those neighbouring Israel, to which Mr. Trump has suggested Gaza’s population should be moved.
While the ongoing conflict and the complex negotiations surrounding hostages demand urgent attention, it is crucial to emphasise the power of peace and diplomacy. As tensions continue to rise, it is vital for all parties to honor their commitments to ceasefire agreements and work towards the safe and compassionate release of hostages. Threats and ultimatums, while often used as negotiating tools, rarely foster lasting solutions. True progress can only be made through dialogue, mutual respect, and a genuine commitment to peace. In a world rife with division, it is imperative to remember that lasting peace is built on understanding, cooperation, and shared humanity—values that must guide all efforts for resolution.