US President Donald Trump has sent a stark warning to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for an accelerated ceasefire agreement. The ultimatum came on Thursday, just days after Trump said the US planned to take over Gaza and permanently displace two million Palestinians.
Hamas had earlier suspended the release of any more hostages, citing “Israeli violations” of the deal. However, it has now agreed to return to releasing Israeli hostages “according to the specified timetable.” The move may be an attempt to appease Trump, who has threatened severe consequences if Hamas fails to keep its end of the bargain.
The stakes are high, with Israel having released over 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of the first phase’s captives. Roughly 60 more hostages remain scheduled to be released later this spring. If Hamas fails to meet Trump’s demands, it could lead to a catastrophic escalation of violence in the already devastated Gaza Strip.
Analysts say that Hamas has little incentive to comply with Trump’s maximalist demand, as they have only one card left – the hostages. The group may try to stall by releasing fewer captives, potentially gaining an advantage.
Trump’s national security team is pushing for a quick release of all remaining hostages, citing the dire condition of three male hostages who were emaciated and showed signs of torture after 490 days in captivity. If Hamas fails to comply, it could lead to renewed hostilities and a green light for Israel to attack Gaza with impunity.
The outcome will depend on Hamas’s willingness to take drastic action. The ultimatum marks a significant shift in Trump’s approach to the Middle East conflict, with experts warning that his plan is unfeasible and would amount to ethnic cleansing.
Source: https://time.com/7221832/donald-trump-gaza-israel