Hamas brushes off Trump and insists all parties must be committed to ceasefire
A spokesman said that dozens of hostages would only be returned if all parties remain committed to a ceasefire deal reached last month.
Hamas has brushed off US President Donald Trump’s threat that “all hell” will break out if it does not release the remaining Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Saturday.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Tuesday that the dozens of hostages would only be returned if all parties remain committed to a ceasefire deal reached last month.
“Trump must remember there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties,” he said, adding that threatening language only complicates matters.
Hamas has threatened to delay the next release of three Israeli hostages, due on Saturday, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, including by not allowing a surge of tents and shelters into the devastated territory.
While Mr Trump said the ceasefire should be cancelled if Hamas does not release all the remaining hostages on Saturday, he also said such a decision would be up to Israel.
During the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas has committed to freeing a total of 33 hostages captured in its October 7 2023 attack in exchange for Israel releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The sides have carried out five swaps since January 19, freeing 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners so far.
The war could resume in early March if no agreement is reached on the more complicated second phase of the ceasefire, which calls for the return of all remaining hostages and an indefinite extension of the truce.
