US President Donald Trump has set a deadline for the release of all hostages in Gaza, warning that if they are not freed by Saturday at noon, the Israel-Hamas ceasefire should be scrapped, and severe consequences would follow.
His remarks came after Hamas indicated it might delay further hostage-prisoner exchanges, jeopardizing the fragile truce that began on January 19. Calling Hamas’s stance “terrible,” Trump stated that while Israel would ultimately decide on the ceasefire, he personally believed it should end if hostages were not released by the deadline.
“If all hostages are not returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock, I say cancel it. Let all bets be off, and let hell break loose,” Trump declared.
He insisted that hostages should be freed in full, rather than in small batches. “Not two, not three—we want them all back,” he emphasized. “As far as I’m concerned, if they’re not returned by noon on Saturday, all hell is going to break out.”
Trump added that he would likely discuss the matter with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but did not specify what actions would follow. When asked if US military intervention was on the table, he responded, “We’ll see what happens.”
Additionally, Trump warned that he might suspend US aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refused to accept displaced Palestinians under his proposal for US administration of Gaza.
“If they don’t agree, I may consider withholding assistance,” he said.
His comments came as Egypt reiterated its opposition to any plan that undermines Palestinian rights, following talks between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his US counterpart.
Trump also ruled out the right of Palestinians to return to Gaza under his proposed US-led control, arguing that they would be provided with better living conditions elsewhere.
“If they return now, it will take years before the area is livable,” he said, referencing the widespread destruction caused by Israeli military strikes since October 2023.
