 "President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. File image/ Reuters")
US President Donald Trump Saturday (February 15) noted that Palestinian militant organisation Hamas failed to honour his 12 pm deadline for the release of “ALL HOSTAGES”.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, the US president vowed to back whatever decision Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu takes in response to the release of “just three hostages”.
“Hamas has just released three Hostages from GAZA, including an American Citizen. They seem to be in good shape! This differs from their statement last week that they would not release any Hostages,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Israel will now have to decide what they will do about the 12:00 O’CLOCK, TODAY, DEADLINE imposed on the release of ALL HOSTAGES. The United States will back the decision they make!” Trump wrote in his post.
Hamas releases three hostages
Hamas on Saturday released three hostages despite its earlier warning to withhold them, citing alleged violation of the ceasefire agreement by Israel.
Alexander Sasha Troufanov, Sagui Dekel Chen, and Iair Horn were released by Hamas. Sagui Dekel Chen is a US-Israeli citizen.
Netanyahu’s warning
PM Netanyahu earlier backed Trump’s call for the release of all hostages, stressing that Hamas’ failure to do so would result in the collapse of the truce.
“If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will resume intense fighting until Hamas is decisively defeated,” the Israeli PM said Tuesday, adding the decision had been reached unanimously by cabinet members.
Trump’s deadline
Earlier this week, Trump had called on Israel to cancel its ceasefire deal with Hamas if all hostages were not released by the group on Saturday.
“As far as I’m concerned, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock – I think it’s an appropriate time – I would say, cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out. I’d say they ought to be returned by 12 o’clock on Saturday (1700GMT) … And after that, I would say, all hell is going to break out,” Trump warned Monday.
Notably, the Gaza ceasefire came into effect on January 19, paving the way for the release of hostages by Hamas and prisoners by Israel.
(With inputs from agencies)