Trump gives Hamas ultimatum for hostage release

Washington. US President Donald Trump has given Hamas an ultimatum to release all remaining hostages and threatened harsh consequences if the Islamists do not comply with his demand. He called for the ceasefire negotiated between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organisation to be terminated if all remaining hostages were not released by 12 noon on Saturday. If this does not happen, "then all hell will break loose", Trump threatened at the White House in Washington. However, he emphasised that the decision was up to Israel. "I speak only for myself," he said. Israel could disregard this.

Trump left open what concrete consequences Hamas might have to fear from the US side. "Hamas will find out what I mean," he said when asked. "They are sick people." He did not assume that the Islamists would follow the demand, Trump continued, adding: "I think many of the hostages are dead." It was a "great human tragedy". It also remained unclear which time zone Trump was referring to with the specific time of the ultimatum.

Hamas had postponed the next release of Israeli hostages scheduled for this Saturday indefinitely. Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida explained that Israel was not honouring the ceasefire agreement. The already fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is on the brink of collapse due to the halt in hostage releases. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz put the army still stationed in the Gaza Strip on high alert.