Trump Says Hamas Must Release All Hostages by Saturday or ‘All Hell is Going to Break Out’ – Guy D. McCardle
It seems that President Trump has had his fill of waiting for the terrorist organization Hamas to release all of the hostages they are holding in Gaza.
In a bold, unequivocal, and yet not unexpected move, President Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas: release all hostages by noon this Saturday, or face severe consequences. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump declared:
“As far as I’m concerned if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock… I would say, cancel [the ceasefire] and all bets are off and let hell break out.”
The Ultimatum: A Clear Line in the Sand
On Monday, February 10, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a less-than-subtle warning regarding the ongoing hostage situation in Gaza. He declared that if Hamas does not release all remaining Israeli hostages by noon on Saturday, February 15, “all hell is going to break out.” Trump emphasized that if the deadline is not met, he would consider it appropriate to cancel the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Trump’s ultimatum came in response to Hamas’s announcement that they would delay the next scheduled hostage release, originally set for Saturday. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire terms by delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza and restricting the entry of humanitarian aid. The ceasefire, which has been in place since January 2025, was established as part of an agreement to facilitate the gradual exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.
The key points of Trump’s ultimatum are clear. He set a firm deadline of noon on Saturday, February 15, and demanded the release of all remaining hostages, rather than a few at a time. If Hamas fails to comply, Trump warned that the ceasefire agreement could be canceled, potentially escalating the conflict.
When pressed on what exactly he meant by “all hell breaking loose,” Trump responded cryptically, “Hamas will find out what I mean.”
While he acknowledged that the final decision to end the ceasefire ultimately rests with Israel, he made it clear that this was his personal stance, stating, “I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it.”
It seems that President Trump has had his fill of waiting for the terrorist organization Hamas to release all of the hostages they are holding in Gaza.
In a bold, unequivocal, and yet not unexpected move, President Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas: release all hostages by noon this Saturday, or face severe consequences. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump declared:
“As far as I’m concerned if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock… I would say, cancel [the ceasefire] and all bets are off and let hell break out.”
The Ultimatum: A Clear Line in the Sand
On Monday, February 10, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a less-than-subtle warning regarding the ongoing hostage situation in Gaza. He declared that if Hamas does not release all remaining Israeli hostages by noon on Saturday, February 15, “all hell is going to break out.” Trump emphasized that if the deadline is not met, he would consider it appropriate to cancel the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Trump’s ultimatum came in response to Hamas’s announcement that they would delay the next scheduled hostage release, originally set for Saturday. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire terms by delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza and restricting the entry of humanitarian aid. The ceasefire, which has been in place since January 2025, was established as part of an agreement to facilitate the gradual exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.
The key points of Trump’s ultimatum are clear. He set a firm deadline of noon on Saturday, February 15, and demanded the release of all remaining hostages, rather than a few at a time. If Hamas fails to comply, Trump warned that the ceasefire agreement could be canceled, potentially escalating the conflict.
When pressed on what exactly he meant by “all hell breaking loose,” Trump responded cryptically, “Hamas will find out what I mean.”
While he acknowledged that the final decision to end the ceasefire ultimately rests with Israel, he made it clear that this was his personal stance, stating, “I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it.”
Hamas swiftly responded to Trump’s threat, asserting that there is an existing agreement that must be respected by both sides. A Hamas representative dismissed the ultimatum, stating that “the language of threats has no value and only complicates matters.” With the deadline quickly approaching, tensions in the region remain high. International observers are closely monitoring the situation, as the fate of the ceasefire and the hostages hangs in the balance.
The Ceasefire Under Strain
The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in place since January 19, 2025, has come under significant strain in recent days. Tensions escalated on February 10 when Hamas announced it would delay the release of additional Israeli hostages that were scheduled to be freed on Saturday, February 15. Hamas justified this decision by accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement.
According to Hamas, Israel has breached multiple aspects of the truce over the past three weeks. These alleged violations include obstructing the return of displaced individuals to northern Gaza, targeting civilians with artillery and gunfire throughout the region, and restricting the delivery of humanitarian aid. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz strongly condemned Hamas’s decision to delay the hostage releases, calling it a “complete violation of the ceasefire agreement” and putting military forces on heightened alert.
The ongoing uncertainty has raised serious humanitarian concerns. Without a sustainable agreement, there is a high risk of renewed hostilities, which would further worsen conditions for civilians in Gaza. While the first phase of the ceasefire resulted in five prisoner swaps—leading to the release of 21 Israeli hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners—the second phase, which requires Hamas to free all remaining hostages in exchange for an extended truce, has yet to be fulfilled.
Israeli officials have warned that if an agreement is not reached, military operations could resume as early as March. As both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire, the fragile truce remains at serious risk, heightening fears of a return to full-scale conflict.
International Reactions and Potential Consequences
International reactions to President Trump’s ultimatum regarding the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas have been largely critical, with many expressing concern about the potential consequences. Hamas swiftly rejected Trump’s demand, insisting that any release of hostages is dependent on Israel fully adhering to the ceasefire agreement. A spokesperson for Hamas dismissed the “language of threats” and emphasized that both sides must respect the terms already in place.
In the Palestinian territories, fear of renewed conflict has led many in Gaza to begin stockpiling supplies, worried that war could soon return. In the West Bank, residents have voiced concerns that Trump’s plan could pave the way for further annexation of Palestinian land by Israel.
Regional leaders have also weighed in. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed the importance of advancing recovery efforts in Gaza without displacing its residents. Jordan’s King Abdullah II condemned any Israeli settlement expansion and land annexation, while Saudi Arabia reiterated that it would not normalize relations with Israel unless a Palestinian state is established. Iran also spoke out, opposing any form of Palestinian displacement.
International organizations have similarly raised concerns. The United Nations’ Palestinian envoy, Riyad Mansour, argued that displaced Gazans should be allowed to return to their former homes within Israel. Amnesty International warned that removing Palestinians from Gaza would amount to erasing their identity and existence.
Several European nations have also expressed disapproval. Germany stated that expelling Palestinians would be a violation of international law. France emphasized the need for solutions that respect Palestinian rights, while Spain and Ireland called for a two-state solution. The United Kingdom affirmed that Palestinians have the right to return and rebuild.
The potential consequences of Trump’s ultimatum are significant. If Hamas does not comply, there is a real risk of renewed hostilities between Israel and Hamas. A return to war could worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where civilians are struggling with limited resources and infrastructure damage. Trump’s statements have also raised concerns about broader regional instability, particularly for neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan. Additionally, his remarks have strained diplomatic relations between the U.S. and key international players, making future peace efforts even more challenging.
As noted above, another major point of concern is the fear of forced displacement. Trump’s previous comments suggesting the relocation of Gaza’s residents have sparked fears of ethnic cleansing, with many warning that such actions would further inflame tensions. As the deadline for Trump’s ultimatum approaches, the situation remains tense, with the world watching closely to see how events unfold.
A Tense Countdown
Noon Saturday will be here before you know it, and in the meantime, the international community will watch with bated breath. The potential for renewed hostilities looms large, with Israel reportedly on high alert, prepared to relaunch military operations in Gaza if the hostage release does not proceed as planned.
In the high-stakes world of international diplomacy, ultimatums are a double-edged sword. President Trump’s firm stance aims to expedite the release of hostages and bring a swift resolution to a protracted crisis. However, the inherent risks of such a strategy cannot be ignored. The coming days will reveal whether this bold approach will lead to the desired outcome or plunge the region into further turmoil.
For now, all eyes remain on the clock as the deadline set by President Trump draws near. The world waits to see if Hamas will comply or if, indeed, all hell will break out.
