President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to Hamas on Monday, demanding the release of all remaining hostages held by the Iranian-backed terror group by noon on Saturday. Failure to comply, Trump declared, would result in the cancellation of the current cease-fire, and “All Hell” would break out.
“As far as I’m concerned, 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,” Trump said during a press briefing in the Oval Office.
The president’s ultimatum comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, with the terror group recently delaying a scheduled hostage release, accusing Israel of failing to uphold its side of the cease-fire agreement. Trump’s warning underscores the precarious nature of the situation and the high stakes for the hostages, many of whom are believed to be in dire condition.
Trump emphasized that the release must include all hostages, not partial or incremental returns. “And if they’re not returned—all of them, not in dribs and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two—by Saturday at 12 o’clock, all hell is going to break out,” he said.
While Trump did not specify the exact consequences of missing the deadline, he hinted at the possibility of military action. When asked if U.S. troops might be deployed to the region, Trump responded cryptically, “We’ll see what happens.” He added, “You’ll find out, and they’ll find out too. Hamas will find out what I mean.”
The president later clarified that he was speaking for himself and acknowledged Israel’s right to “override” any statement he made. However, he reiterated his ultimatum, stating, “But from myself, Saturday at 12 o’clock, and if they’re not, they’re not here, all hell is going to break out.”
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Trump expressed deep concern about the condition of the remaining hostages, suggesting that many, if not all, may already be dead. He accused Hamas of mistreating those who have been released, citing the severe malnutrition and weight loss of three Israeli hostages freed on Saturday.
“Based on what I saw over the last few days, they’re not going to be alive for long,” Trump said, comparing their condition to that of “Holocaust victims.”
The plight of the hostages has drawn international attention, with families and advocates pleading for their swift release.
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Hamas, for its part, has brushed off Trump’s ultimatum, insisting that any further hostage releases will occur only within the framework of the existing cease-fire. The terror group has also accused Israel of failing to provide adequate humanitarian supplies to Gaza, particularly in the heavily damaged northern region.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri reiterated that hostages would only be freed if Israel abides by a ceasefire agreement reached last month. “Trump must remember there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties,” he said.
As the Saturday deadline approaches, the international community is bracing for a potential escalation in the conflict. Trump’s warning has set the stage for a tense and uncertain few days in the Middle East, with the fate of the hostages hanging in the balance.
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