Israel Must Respect Ceasefire to Secure Hostages' Release, Hamas Tells Trump
In a recent escalation of tensions, Hamas has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's ultimatum regarding the release of Israeli hostages. Trump demanded that all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza be freed by noon on Saturday, threatening to cancel the existing ceasefire and "let all hell break out" if his deadline is not met.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, dismissed Trump's threats, emphasizing that adherence to the ceasefire agreement is the only viable path to securing the hostages' release. He stated, "Trump must remember that there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties, and this is the only way to bring back the [hostages]. The language of threats has no value and only complic ... ."
The ceasefire, effective since January 19, 2025, was established to facilitate the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas. However, Hamas has recently postponed further releases, accusing Israel of violating the terms of ... . The group alleges that Israel has delayed the return of displaced persons to ... targeted them with shelling and gun ... , and failed to allow the entry of agreed-upon humanitarian aid.
In response to these developments, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire and instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for potential scenarios in Gaza. He stated, "We will not allow a return to ... ."
The international community has expressed concern over the fragile state of the ceasefire. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both parties to honor the agreement and continue negotiations to prevent further hostilities. He emphasized the importance of avoiding a resumption of conflict in Gaza, which could lead to an immense tragedy.
As the Saturday deadline approaches, the situation remains tense. Families of the hostages in Israel have staged protests, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu preserve and extend the cease ... to secure the release of their loved ones. The outcome of this standoff will significantly impact the future of the ceasefire and the broader dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
