President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have jointly demanded that Hamas release all Israeli hostages held in Gaza by noon on Saturday. Failure to comply, they warn, will result in the immediate resumption of military operations in the region.
This ultimatum follows Hamas’s recent suspension of hostage releases, citing alleged Israeli violations of the existing ceasefire agreement. In a video statement, Netanyahu declared, “If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated.”
President Trump echoed this sentiment during a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, stating that if all hostages are not freed by the deadline, he would advocate for canceling the ceasefire and “let hell break out.”
In response, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri emphasized the importance of adhering to the current agreement, stating, “There is an agreement that must be respected by both parties, and this is the only way to bring prisoners home. The language of threats will not serve the interests of anyone involved.”
The ceasefire, established in January 2025, facilitated the release of 33 Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, tensions have escalated due to mutual accusations of ceasefire violations, leading to concerns about a potential resurgence of violence.
In preparation for possible renewed hostilities, Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli Defense Forces to bolster their presence in and around the Gaza Strip. The international community watches closely, urging restraint and a peaceful resolution to prevent further bloodshed.
