Hamas Dismisses Trump Ultimatum, Calling Ceasefire Deal ‘Only Way’ To Guarantee Hostage Release

(Photo by Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via AP)

Hamas dismissed President Donald Trump’s ultimatum threatening “hell” if Israeli hostages held in Gaza are not released by noon on Saturday, stating that the agreed ceasefire deal was the “only way” to secure the captives’ freedom

“The language of threats has no value and further complicates matters,” Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP, adding: “Trump must remember that there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties and this is the only way to return the prisoners.”

The statement came after Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that if the terror group which is power in Gaza failed to release “all of the hostages” that “all bets are off” and he would “cancel” the ceasefire to “let hell break out.”

Trump’s threat came after Hamas announced plans to delay the next hostage release, citing alleged Israeli violations of the ceasefire deal. The group claimed Israel obstructed displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza and blocked humanitarian aid, accusations Israel denies.

The ceasefire, brokered last month, halted over a year of fighting following Hamas’ October 2023 invasion of Israel, where over 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage. The agreement calls for Hamas to release hostages in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners and a halt in fighting.