Hamas has firmly rejected President Donald Trump’s recent ultimatum demanding the release of all Israeli hostages by midday Saturday, warning that “all hell will break loose” if they fail to comply. A senior Hamas official emphasized that respecting the ceasefire is essential for bringing Israeli hostages home from Gaza and dismissed threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The ceasefire, effective since January 19, has seen Hamas gradually releasing hostages, but further releases have been postponed due to alleged Israeli violations. Hamas indefinitely suspended the release of hostages on Monday, accusing Israel of breaching ceasefire obligations.
In a controversial move, President Trump proposed that the U.S. “take over” and “own” the Gaza Strip, envisioning long-term control and the relocation of its Palestinian residents to neighboring countries. This proposal has been met with strong opposition from Gaza residents, Arab states, and rights advocates, who have called it a form of ethnic cleansing.
The international community remains on edge as tensions escalate, with concerns that the fragile ceasefire could collapse, leading to renewed violence in the region.
