A Hamas official has warned that only a fragile ceasefire can ensure the safe release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, dismissing President Donald Trump’s threats as “language of threats” that will complicate matters.
The US president had threatened to cancel the Israel-Hamas ceasefire if Hamas did not free all hostages by midday on Saturday. However, Hamas has instead postponed releasing any more hostages until further notice, accusing Israel of violating the terms with several deadly shootings and aid delivery hold-ups.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed “ruthless” action to secure the release of his country’s hostages, mourning one of them, Shlomo Mansour, who was killed in a Hamas attack. A third Israeli hostage, Ahon Ohel, managed to send a birthday wish to his sister via two other freed hostages.
The ceasefire agreement has been paused since January 19, with over 48,000 Palestinians killed and nearly all of Gaza’s population internally displaced due to the conflict. Trump’s proposal for Gaza’s future has enraged Arabs and upended decades of US policy on a possible two-state solution.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that resuming armed conflict would lead to “immense tragedy”. The US president’s plan to relocate 2 million Gazans, including cutting aid to Egypt if it does not take in Palestinians, has introduced new complexity into the region’s dynamics.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/ceasefire-is-only-way-bring-israeli-prisoners-home-hamas-official-says-2025-02-11