If all the hostages held in the Gaza Strip are not returned by Saturday at noon, the ceasefire deal should be canceled, US President Donald Trump said on Monday.
“If all the Gaza hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 p.m., I would say cancel the ceasefire. Let all hell break loose; Israel can override it,” he said, noting that it was Israel’s decision.
“But as far as I’m concerned… I would say cancel it, and all bets are off,” he added. “All of them, not in drips and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two.”
Trump’s statement came just hours after Hamas announced on its Telegram account that it had canceled the release of hostages on February 15 until further notice due to an Israeli violation.
Following the announcement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu consulted with top security officials, and the security cabinet will convene later on Tuesday morning.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “If all of the hostages are not returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock, I would say cancel it and all bets are off… All of them. Not in drips and drabs.” pic.twitter.com/MozJATMKRy
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 10, 2025
In a statement, Hamas said the delay was a “warning” to Israel and the countries mediating intended to pressure Israel to strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreement.
Trump addresses Palestinian relocation
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump also said he might withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt if they don’t take Palestinian refugees who would be relocated from Gaza.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is set to depart later this week for his first visit to the Middle East, met Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Washington on Monday.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told Rubio that Arab countries support Palestinians in rejecting Trump’s plan. Cairo fears Palestinians could be forced across Egypt’s border with Gaza.
Trump is set to meet Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Tuesday and had previously stated that Middle Eastern nations would be willing to take Palestinians after he meets with them.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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