Trump Warns Hamas: Release Hostages by Saturday or ‘Let All Hell Break Out’
In a bold and high-stakes ultimatum, President Donald Trump has warned that if Hamas does not return all hostages by noon on Saturday, he will call for the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to be canceled, stating, “Let all hell break out.” The president made these remarks on Monday evening after signing a series of executive orders in the Oval Office.
A Clear Message from the Oval Office
When asked whether he personally believed the ceasefire should be canceled, Trump emphasized that it was ultimately Israel’s decision. However, he left no doubt about his stance: “If all the Gaza hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 p.m., I would say cancel the ceasefire. Let all hell break out; Israel can override it.”
Trump stressed that Hamas must release all hostages immediately, rather than in small numbers over time. “Saturday at 12 p.m. and after that, I would say, all hell is going to break out,” he declared, signaling potential escalations if Hamas does not comply.
Hamas Delays Hostage Release, Citing Ceasefire Violations
Trump’s stern warning comes as Hamas announced a delay in the next planned hostage release, citing what it claims are Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida accused Israel of failing to uphold its commitments, including allowing displaced individuals to return to northern Gaza, providing sufficient humanitarian aid, and ceasing military actions.
“Over the past three weeks, the resistance leadership has monitored the enemy’s violations and failure to fulfill its obligations under the agreement,” Obeida stated. “The release of the Zionist prisoners next Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, will be postponed until further notice, and until the occupation commits to and provides compensation for the entitlements of the past weeks retroactively.”
Tensions Rise Amidst Ceasefire Agreement
The ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was structured to include the phased release of 33 hostages captured during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. So far, five exchange rounds have been completed, resulting in the release of 21 hostages and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners. The next scheduled exchange, set for Saturday, was expected to include the release of three more Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
However, Hamas’ decision to halt further releases has been met with strong opposition from Israeli officials. “Hamas’ announcement to stop the release of Israeli hostages is a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and the hostage release deal,” said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. He further directed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to maintain the highest level of readiness for “any possible scenario in Gaza.”
Trump Condemns Treatment of Hostages
President Trump also reacted to the dire condition of the hostages recently freed by Hamas. Over the weekend, Hamas released three visibly frail and malnourished Israeli civilians—Eli Sharabi, 52; Or Levy, 34; and Ohad Ben Ami, 56—after reportedly forcing them to participate in a handover ceremony. In return, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners.
Upon seeing the images of the freed hostages, Trump remarked that they “looked like Holocaust survivors” and “like they haven’t had a meal in a month.” Expressing his frustration over the humanitarian crisis, he added, “I don’t know how much longer we can take that. You know, at some point, we’re gonna lose our patience.”
What’s Next?
With tensions at a boiling point, all eyes are now on Hamas and Israel as the Saturday deadline looms. If the hostages are not returned as Trump demands, the fragile ceasefire could collapse, leading to further escalations in the region.
As global leaders and diplomatic channels scramble to mediate the situation, the question remains: Will Hamas comply, or is the world bracing for a new phase of conflict?
