United States (US)President Donald Trump on Monday gave the deadline of Saturday to Hamas to release all the hostages held by militants in Gaza. Otherwise, he would propose canceling the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and “let hell break out,” Trump warned.
Trump’s comment came as the Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas set at the risk of collapse after the Hamas announcement to stop releasing the hostages.
Both Hamas and Israel reached a three-stage ceasefire agreement on 15 January. In the agreement, it was proposed that hostages will return to Israel in three stages.
Complete Ceasefire will be established throughout this period.
On Monday Hamas accused the Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Hamas military wing spoke person Abu Ubaida said that Israel delayed the Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza. They alleged that humanitarian aid was also stopped from entering the strip as set out in ceasefire agreement.
Thus, Hamas announced it would stop releasing hostages until the violations are not taken into notice.
Hamas was to release more Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for Palestinians prisoners in the custody of Israel forces.
Trump expressed his displeasure on the announcement by Hamas that it would halt further releases.
“As far as I’m concerned, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock. I would say, cancel it,” Trump said.
In a shock announcement on 4 February, Trump also expressed his plans to take over the Gaza strip and rebuild it over the period of time, while relocating the Palestinians to Jordan and Qatar permanently.
Gaza residents and Arab states rejected the Trump’s proposal repeatedly and labelled it as the proposal of ethnic cleansing.
