President Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the release of all remaining hostages by noon on Saturday. He warned that if this deadline is not met, the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas should be terminated, and severe consequences will follow. Trump emphasized that while the final decision rests with Israel, he personally advocates for decisive action if the hostages are not freed on time.
This ultimatum comes in response to Hamas’s recent suspension of hostage releases, citing alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement. In reaction, Israeli officials have accused Hamas of breaching the truce and have expressed readiness to respond to various scenarios. Currently, out of the 251 individuals initially abducted, 73 remain in captivity, with 34 confirmed deceased.
Trump’s warning has garnered support from Israeli officials, including Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, who endorsed the call for intensified action against Gaza if the hostages are not released by the specified deadline. Karhi advocated for halting all aid and utilities to Gaza and employing disproportionate force. Meanwhile, United Nations officials have highlighted that the humanitarian aid currently reaching Gaza is significantly below the required levels, underscoring the critical situation in the region.
