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Trump Warns Hamas to Release Hostages or Face Consequences
(TJV) President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas on Monday night, demanding the release of all remaining hostages by noon on Saturday. If the deadline is not met, he stated that Israel should end the ongoing cease-fire and unleash severe retaliation in the Middle East.
“If all the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock—what I think is an appropriate time—I would say cancel [the cease-fire], and all bets are off. Let hell break out,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, without specifying which time zone the deadline referred to.
He emphasized that every hostage must be released at once, not in small groups. “All of them, not in dribs and drabs—not two and one and three and four and two—by Saturday at 12 o’clock. And after that, I would say, all hell is going to break out,” he warned.
When asked whether U.S. troops would be involved in any potential action, Trump remained ambiguous, stating, “We’ll see what happens.” He did not elaborate on whether he meant Israeli or U.S. military force would be used but hinted that Hamas would soon understand the consequences.
Earlier on Monday, Hamas announced it was canceling a planned hostage release, accusing Israel of not upholding its part of the cease-fire agreement. Abu Obeida, a spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, claimed that hostages set to be freed on Saturday would remain in captivity until Israel fulfilled its obligations under the deal.
Trump’s comments come shortly after he suggested he was considering taking control of Gaza and developing property in the area without allowing Palestinians to return. The situation remains tense as the deadline approaches.
