Gaza truce on edge as Trump warns Hamas of ‘hell’ over hostage release

The fragile ceasefire in Gaza appeared increasingly unstable on Tuesday, following warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump and Hamas’ concerns that his remarks complicate ongoing negotiations.

Since the truce began on January 19, there have been five hostage-prisoner exchanges, but recent tensions have put the agreement under strain.

Trump warned that if Hamas fails to release all Israeli hostages by the weekend, the ceasefire should be canceled, and conflict should resume.

“If all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at noon, I would say cancel it, and all bets are off—let hell break out,” Trump stated on Monday.

International Efforts to Preserve the Ceasefire

Diplomatic efforts to safeguard the ceasefire have intensified, with Jordan’s King Abdullah II expected to raise the issue with Trump during a meeting in Washington later on Tuesday.

Tensions have been rising for weeks, particularly after Trump proposed the forced displacement of Gaza’s two million residents.

Hamas responded critically to Trump’s latest statement, with senior leader Sami Abu Zuhri asserting that his remarks complicate the situation further and that the agreement must be respected by both parties.

“The language of threats has no value and only makes matters worse,” Abu Zuhri told AFP.

Another senior Hamas official urged Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to comply with the deal instead of causing delays in aid delivery and blocking the agreement’s implementation.

Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Hamas to proceed with the next hostage release, urging both sides to avoid a return to full-scale conflict.

Rising Fears Among Civilians in Gaza

Many war-weary civilians in Gaza fear that the ceasefire will collapse, with some believing both Israeli and Hamas factions are interested in continuing the war.

“I pray that the ceasefire holds, but there are no guarantees,” said Adnan Qassem, a 60-year-old resident of Deir el-Balah.

“The people are the ones who suffer the most.”

The armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, announced that the hostage release scheduled for Saturday had been postponed, accusing Israel of failing to meet its commitments under the agreement, including delays in humanitarian aid and the killing of three Gazans over the weekend.

Despite this, Hamas stated that the deal is still open, provided that Israel upholds its side of the agreement.

Israel Signals Readiness to Resume Conflict

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned Hamas’ delay in the hostage release, calling it a “complete violation” of the ceasefire deal.

He also ordered the Israeli military (IDF) to prepare for any scenario, warning that Israel is ready to restart operations in Gaza.

Meanwhile, negotiators are set to meet in Qatar to discuss the ongoing implementation of the ceasefire, but talks on a second phase of the deal—which were meant to start on day 16 of the truce—have stalled, with Israel refusing to send representatives to Doha.

Trump’s Controversial Proposal for Gaza and Palestinian Displacement

Netanyahu has expressed support for Trump’s idea of forcibly relocating Gazans, calling it a “revolutionary approach.”

The United Nations and legal experts have strongly condemned the proposal, arguing that it would be a clear violation of international law.

Trump also suggested that U.S. allies Jordan and Egypt should take in displaced Palestinians—even hinting that he could withhold aid if they refuse.

During a Fox News interview, Trump stated that Palestinians “would not have the right to return to Gaza” and that they would be relocated permanently.

“If they have to return now, it will take years before it’s even habitable,” he said.

When asked if displaced Palestinians would be allowed to go back, Trump flatly rejected the idea, saying:

“No, they wouldn’t, because they’ll have much better housing elsewhere.”

Palestinian Displacement Sparks Historic Parallels

For Palestinians, Trump’s displacement proposal brings back painful memories of the Nakba (“catastrophe”) in 1948, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forcibly removed from their homes during the creation of Israel.

Death Toll and Humanitarian Impact

The Gaza war, which began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, has devastated the region.

• The October 7 attack resulted in 1,211 deaths in Israel, with 251 hostages taken—of whom 73 remain in Gaza, including 35 the Israeli military says are dead.
• The Health Ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas, reports that at least 48,208 people have been killed since the war began. The United Nations considers these figures reliable.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli officials confirmed the death of hostage Shlomo Mansour, an elderly man who had been held in Gaza.

Ceasefire at a Crossroads

As diplomatic talks continue, the next few days will be crucial in determining whether the ceasefire holds or if full-scale war resumes.

With Trump pressuring Hamas, Israel preparing for renewed military action, and international mediators working to salvage the truce, the situation remains highly volatile.