In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the ongoing Middle East conflict, President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Hamas on Monday: release all remaining Israeli hostages by noon on Saturday, or face severe consequences.
“If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12:00, I think it’s an appropriate time. I would say cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out,” Trump declared during remarks to reporters at the White House.
When pressed about what specific actions might follow if Hamas fails to comply, the president was deliberately vague, stating only, “You’ll find out and they’ll find out too. Hamas will find out what I mean.”
Crisis Intensifies as Hamas Delays Hostage Release
Trump’s ultimatum comes at a critical moment in the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Earlier Monday, Hamas announced it would delay “until further notice” the planned release of three Israeli hostages scheduled for Saturday—the first major setback to the ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
Hamas cited recent Israeli shelling and gunfire in Gaza, along with what it described as an insufficient flow of aid, as reasons for the delay. Despite this announcement, the group stated it remained committed to the ceasefire agreement’s terms.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz responded swiftly, characterizing any delay as “a complete violation of the agreement” and stating that Israel’s military would assume a “high level of readiness.”
“They Look Like They Came Out of the Holocaust”
The president’s forceful stance appears to have been prompted by the condition of recently released hostages, whom he described as “emaciated.”
“I looked at the hostages that came in and they’re emaciated. It looked like something out of the 1930s,” Trump said. “Looks like they came out of the Holocaust, which essentially it was.”
He expressed particular concern about the mental and physical welfare of the freed captives, noting one young man was “not even recognizable” compared to before his captivity.
Controversial Gaza Development Plan
This ultimatum comes alongside Trump’s controversial proposal for the United States to “own Gaza” and develop real estate there after relocating Palestinians to neighboring countries.
“Think of it as a real estate development for the future. It would be a beautiful piece of land,” Trump told Fox News host Brett Baier in an interview set to air Monday evening.
When asked if Palestinians would have the right to return to Gaza under this plan, Trump replied, “No, they wouldn’t, because they’re going to have much better housing. In other words, I’m talking about building a permanent place for them.”
Trump mentioned Jordan and Egypt as countries that would accept displaced Palestinians, expressing confidence in making deals with these governments: “We give them billions and billions of dollars a year,” he noted.
Regional Reaction and Upcoming Diplomacy
The proposal has already faced rejection from Saudi Arabia and sparked anger in nearby countries, including Jordan, which already hosts millions of Palestinian refugees.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II is scheduled to meet with President Trump in Washington on Tuesday, potentially setting the stage for tense discussions about the future of Gaza and its people.
