Trump says Hamas must free all Israeli hostages by week’s end

Trump says Hamas must free Israeli hostages by weeks end — US President Donald Trump, February 10, 2025. Photo: Screengrab/Reuters video

WASHINGTON,— U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Monday that if all Israeli hostages held in Gaza are not returned by Saturday noon, he would push for the cancellation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and allow “all hell to break loose.”

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that any delay in the return of the hostages beyond the specified deadline would result in the collapse of the ceasefire.

“If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock, I think it’s an appropriate time,” Trump told reporters. “I would say cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out,” he added, stressing that the Israeli hostages should be freed in full and on time.

Trump’s remarks came after Hamas announced it would stop releasing hostages due to what it called violations of the ceasefire by Israel.

The group’s spokesperson, Abu Ubaida, cited several violations, including delays in returning Gazans refugees to northern Gaza, Israeli military actions against Gaza residents, and halting humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The ceasefire, which began on January 19, had already been under strain, with occasional violent incidents despite the agreement. Families of Israeli hostages urged the government to uphold the deal, while Gaza residents began efforts to rebuild after months of conflict.

Hamas had been releasing hostages in a scheduled manner in exchange for Arab detainees held by Israel. However, the latest delay in the process raised concerns about the potential for the ceasefire to break down completely.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz condemned Hamas’ announcement as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and ordered the military to be on high alert and prepared for any possible escalation in Gaza. Israeli officials confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was holding security consultations, with the security cabinet scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss the situation.

Since the ceasefire began, 16 of the 33 hostages planned for release during the first phase of the agreement have been freed. In exchange, Israel has released hundreds of Arab prisoners, including some serving life sentences for deadly attacks. Hamas has accused Israel of delaying the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, a charge that Israel denies.

U.S. President Donald Trump must remember that the only way to bring home Israeli prisoners is to respect the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters on Tuesday.

“Trump must remember that there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties, and this is the only way to bring back the prisoners. The language of threats has no value and only complicates matters,” he said.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)