Trump threatens to unleash 'hell' on Hamas if hostages are not freed witihin days
President Trump's ambitious plans to rebuild Gaza have faced widespread skepticism, but the president has made it clear he is not messing around in the Middle East as he threatens to unleash "hell" on Hamas terrorists.
The president gave a Saturday deadline to free the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza before "hell" breaks out.
"I would say Saturday at 12, we want them all back," Trump said. "I'm speaking for myself. Israel can override it. But from myself, Saturday at 12 o'clock, and if they're not, they're not here, all hell is going to break out."
The fresh threats raise new doubts about the durability of the cease-fire deal that Trump helped negotiate between Israel and Hamas in January using similar pressure tactics.
Trump threatens "hell"
Both Trump and Joe Biden have taken credit for the phased peace deal, which was similar to one Biden proposed months earlier. The agreement finally came together after Trump's past threats to annihilate Hamas and a forceful meeting between his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
While Hamas has released some hostages, disagreements have hobbled further implementation of the cease-fire. Hamas is delaying the planned Saturday release of three additional captives, as Hamas accuses Israel of blocking humanitarian aid and bombing Palestine in violation of the agreement.
Trump, in comments to reporters Monday, complained about the incremental framework of the deal and Hamas' brutal treatment of the most recently released hostages, who appeared emaciated.
“Based on what I saw over the last few days, they’re not going to be alive for long,” Trump said.
The president warned that he would allow the cease-fire to unravel if the remaining hostages are not freed by Saturday.
When asked what he means by letting "hell" break loose, he said, "You’ll find out, and they’ll find out too. Hamas will find out what I mean."
Trump's Gaza vision
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu has endorsed Trump's Saturday timeline, warning the war will continue in days if the hostages aren't let go.
Trump's recent talk of having the U.S. take over and rebuild Gaza has raised new questions, with critics dismissing the plan as inhumane or unrealistic.
Israel's Arab neighbors have long opposed proposals to remove Palestinians to their countries, but Trump suggested cutting foreign aid to Egypt and Jordan if they refuse to cooperate. The countries are two of the top five recipients of foreign aid from America.
"What we need is land, and if we could build a nice place for people to live safely, everybody in Gaza would do it," Trump said. "You're going to see that they all want to leave."
Trump pushed his Gaza proposal during a meeting Tuesday with King Abdullah of Jordan, who agreed to accept 2,000 Palestinian children.