Ceasefire deal should be canceled if Hamas doesn’t release all Israeli hostages by Saturday, Trump says
Hamas: Israel violates ceasefire deal
The Israel-Hamas hostage release deal has been violated. That's according to Hamas. Hamas' armed wing will delay the release of more Israeli hostages planned for Saturday until further notice, according to a statement by the group's spokesperson on Telegram, after they say Israel violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
WASHINGTON - Trump said a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas should be canceled if Hamas doesn’t release all the remaining hostages by Saturday.
In comments to reporters as he signed a series of executive orders, Trump said it was ultimately up to Israel. But he warned that "all hell is going to break out" if the remaining hostages aren't released, and added that he feared many were dead.
Trump also said, however, "I'm speaking for myself. Israel can override it."
Hamas delays release of hostages
What we know:
Hamas said Monday it would delay the further release of hostages in the Gaza Strip after accusing Israel of violating a fragile ceasefire that now faces its most serious crisis since it began three weeks ago.
US President Donald Trump speaks to the press after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 10, 2025. (Credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under heavy pressure to secure the release of remaining hostages after three Israelis freed Saturday came home emaciated after 16 months in captivity. Yet in a sign of the precarious nature of the truce, the Israeli military said late Monday it had canceled leave for soldiers assigned to Gaza.
Hamas’ said its plan to delay the next hostage release "until further notice" depended on whether Israel "abides by its obligations."
Ceasefire deal explained
The backstory:
Last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a deal to return Hamas-held hostages in the Gaza Strip had been reached.
EARLIER: Israel, Hamas agree to ceasefire, hostage deal
Under the deal, 33 hostages were set to be released over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remainder, including male soldiers, would be released in a second phase that would be negotiated during the first. Hamas has said it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.