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By Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump stated that the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas should be canceled if Hamas fails to release all remaining hostages in Gaza by midday on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters on Monday while signing a series of executive orders, Trump added that the final decision rested with Israel.
"As far as I'm concerned, if all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday at 12 o'clock -- I think it's an appropriate time – I would say, cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out. I'd say they ought to be returned by 12 o'clock on Saturday. And if they're not returned – all of them, not in drips 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."
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"Saturday at 12, we want them all back. I'm speaking for myself. Israel can override it, but from myself, Saturday at 12 o'clock, and if they're not, they're not here, all hell is going to break out."
A Hamas spokesman on Monday accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement with the group, including targeting Palestinians in Gaza with airstrikes, and said that next Saturday's hostage release would be delayed.
Newsweek has reached out via email to the U.S. State Department for comment.
Why It Matters
Israel and Hamas have been observing a six-week ceasefire, during which Hamas is releasing dozens of hostages taken during its October 7, 2023, attack. The hostages are being exchanged for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Since the ceasefire began last month, there have been five swaps, resulting in the release of 21 hostages and over 730 prisoners. The next exchange, previously scheduled for Saturday, called for the release of three Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
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What To Know
Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, accused Israel on Monday of systematically violating the ceasefire agreement over the past three weeks.
"The resistance leadership has closely monitored the enemy's violations and its failure to uphold the terms of the agreement," Obeida said. "This includes delays in allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, targeting them with airstrikes and gunfire across various areas of the Strip, and failing to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid as agreed."
The announcement marked the first major crisis for the fragile ceasefire, coming at a delicate moment. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was under intense pressure to bring hostages home following last Saturday's release, when three Israelis were returned in poor health after spending 16 months in Hamas captivity.
Monday's announcement by Hamas comes less than a week after President Donald Trump floated his plan for the U.S. to take control of Gaza and turn it into "the Riviera of the Middle East."
Trump told Fox News' Bret Baier in a segment of his Super Bowl interview that aired Monday that Palestinians in Gaza would not have a right to return under his plan for U.S. "ownership" of the war-torn territory. This contradicts other officials in his administration who have said Trump was calling for only the temporary relocation of its population.
What People Are Saying
The Hostages and Missing Family Forum, which represents many of the hostage families, said in a statement: "Recent evidence from those released, as well as the shocking conditions of the hostages released last Saturday, leaves no room for doubt — time is of the essence, and all hostages must be urgently rescued from this horrific situation."
Speaking about Gaza, President Donald Trump told journalists Sunday: "It'll be reclaimed. It'll be leveled out, fixed up. There won't be anybody there. Hamas won't be there. We'll be building through other of the very rich countries in the Middle East. They'll be building some beautiful sites for the people, the Palestinians, to live in. They'll be living in harmony and peace, relatively, for the first time in hundreds of years."
What Happens Next
On Monday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas made the controversial decision to end the system that provided stipends to the families of Palestinian prisoners, including those convicted of deadly attacks against Israel.
The move is seen as an effort to improve relations with the Trump administration. The U.S., along with Israel, had criticized the so-called martyrs fund, claiming it incentivized violence against Israel.
Update 2/10/25, 6:40 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with Monday night's remarks from President Trump.
Update 2/10/25, 12:19, 12:36 and 1:09 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and background.
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