In a high-stakes diplomatic showdown, United States President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to the Palestinian authorities, threatening to “let all hell break loose” if Israeli captives being held in the Gaza Strip are not released by noon on Saturday.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump made it clear that the decision ultimately rests with the Israeli government, stating, “I’m speaking for myself. ‘Israel’ can override it.” This is not the first time the president has made such a threat, having previously warned of bringing “hell to Gaza” if the captives were not freed by January 20, 2024.
US President Donald Trump stated that Palestinians would not have the right of return under his proposed plan for Gaza.
When asked by Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier whether Palestinians would be granted this right, Trump responded, “No, they wouldn’t, because they’re going to… pic.twitter.com/D6w8iEXzVh
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When asked about specific measures the US would take to enforce his demand, Trump responded, “You’ll find out. And they’ll find out too. Hamas will find out what I mean.”
“These are sick people,” he added, referring to the movement’s members, despite their having treated the captives humanely and provided them with all necessary foodstuffs and medical attention by the captives’ own admission.
Trump, meanwhile, threated that the US would cut off its aid to Jordan and Egypt if they did not take in Gaza’s Palestinians.
“I would conceivably withhold it [the US aid],” he said. His administration has pushed for the mass displacement of Gaza’s entire two-million-plus Palestinians, a plan denounced by many regional and global states and legal experts as ethnic cleansing.
However, the Trump administration had previously approved a ceasefire agreement that would allow for the gradual release of Israeli captives and Palestinian detainees over multiple phases. This time, the Trump is demanding a “one-go” release of “all hostages,” refusing to accept a “trickle” of releases.
The ceasefire was initiated last month between the Israeli regime and Hamas in the hope of ending a ferocious war of genocide by the regime that had claimed the lives of at least 17,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
Ever since its onset, the deal has witnessed numerous Israeli violations that have claimed the lives of hundreds more Palestinians.
The agreement has mandated phased release of the Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Earlier on Monday, Hamas announced that it was suspending the process, citing Israeli violations of the agreement. “The door remains open for the [captive/] prisoner exchange batch to proceed as planned, once the occupation complies,” the group said in a statement.
In response, Tel Aviv ordered the military to prepare for “any scenario in Gaza.”
Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar English Website)
