Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office in the White House. (Image: Getty)
US President Donald Trump warned Hamas that “all hell will break out” if the terrorist organisation does not release all the Israeli hostages by noon on Saturday.
The 47th President said the ceasefire agreement between and Hamas should be terminated if the remaining 73 hostages were not handed back by his deadline.
He told reporters in the Oval Office: “If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 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. I’d say they ought to be returned by 12 o’clock on Saturday.”
Speaking of the hostages, Trump added: “I don’t want a trickle. Not three and then two. I want them all.”
Adding a caveat, he said, “I’m speaking for myself. can override it.”
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Hamas terrorists hand over three emaciated Israeli hostages. (Image: Getty)
His comments come after Hamas said it would not take part in the hostage-prisoner swap on February 15, as per the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Abu Obeida, the spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military arm, claimed had violated the terms of the ceasefire over the past three weeks.
Obeida claimed had targeted civilians returning to northern Gaza “with shelling and gunfire”.
He added that had not allowed in the correct amount of humanitarian aid and was demanding “retroactive compensation”.
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President Trump spoke to reporters in the Oval Office (Image: Getty)
President Trump gave the comments to reporters after signing a slate of executive orders (Image: Getty)
Katz, the Israeli defence minister, branded Hamas’ declaration a “complete violation of the ceasefire agreement” and said the Defense Force (IDF) was on high alert.
The IDF killed three Palestinians on Sunday, with Mr Katz claiming that they had “posed a threat” and entered a buffer zone. Anyone entering buffer zones, the minister said, “puts their life at risk”.
‘s air force also fired on what it called “suspicious vehicles” travelling to the northern area of the Strip on a “non-approved route”, which argued violated the ceasefire agreement.