February-10-2025
White House , Washington D.C— President Donald J. Trump issued a strong statement regarding the ongoing ceasefire issue between Israel and Hamas, warning that if all hostages are not freed by Saturday at noon, the deal should be scrapped entirely.
“If all of the hostages are not returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock, I would say cancel it and all bets are off… All of them. Not in drips and drabs,” Trump said, emphasizing that partial releases would not be acceptable.
His remarks come after Hamas reportedly backed out of a ceasefire deal, and announced on Monday that it has suspended its prisoner exchange process with Israel, citing repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement. In a statement, Hamas spokesperson Abu Ubaida claimed that Israel has been violating the ceasefire for the past three weeks.
According to Abu Ubaida, “Israel has prevented displaced Palestinians from returning to Gaza and blocked the entry of humanitarian aid. Additionally, Israeli forces have continued their attacks in various parts of the Strip, which is a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.”
Israeli officials have strongly condemned Hamas’ announcement, stating that it contradicts the ceasefire agreement. In response to the situation, the Israeli Ministry of Defense has ordered its forces to remain on high alert.
The fragile ceasefire, brokered by the United States and Qatar, now faces the risk of collapse. This comes at a critical moment, as U.S. President Donald Trump recently hinted at plans for taking control of Gaza during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington last week.
The situation remains fluid, with international leaders urging a diplomatic resolution. However, Trump’s statement underscores his belief that a ceasefire should only proceed if all hostages are freed immediately.
