Trump said he would recommend the ceasefire in place since January 19 should be cancelled if all Israeli hostages were not released by noon on Saturday, after the Palestinian militant group’s “terrible” threat earlier Monday to postpone any further hostage-prisoner exchanges.
Trump’s latest extraordinary intervention in the Middle East came after Hamas threatened to postpone any further hostage-prisoner exchanges, placing the fragile six-week truce that took effect on January 19 at risk.
Describing Hamas’s move as “terrible”, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he would “let that be Israel’s decision” on what should ultimately happen to the ceasefire.
“But as far as I’m concerned, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday 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,” Trump said.
Trump said that “all” the remaining hostages should be freed, “not in dribs and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two.”
“We want them all back. I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it, but for myself, Saturday at 12 o’clock — and if they’re not here, all hell is going to break out.”
Trump said he would probably speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the timeline he had just proposed.
He did not elaborate on what the threat entailed, saying only that “Hamas will find out what I mean.” Asked if he was ruling out the potential involvement of US forces, Trump replied: “We’ll see what happens.”