Hamas Tells Trump ‘Threats Have No Value’

Hamas stated on Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s ultimatum, demanding the terror group release every hostage by noon on Shabbos or risk severe consequences, has made an already precarious situation even more difficult. The terror organization made this claim a day after declaring that it would postpone the next scheduled release of hostages, citing what it alleged were Israeli breaches of the agreement.

“Hamas must remember that there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties and this is the only way to return the prisoners,” Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP, referencing the hostages.

“The language of threats has no value and further complicates matters,” he added.

At a press briefing in the White House on Monday, Trump stated emphatically, “As far as I’m concerned, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday 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.”

His remarks, which received enthusiastic approval from Israel’s far right and some families of hostages, were made just hours after Hamas announced it would indefinitely delay the planned release of hostages scheduled for Shabbos.

The terror group justified its decision by claiming that Israel had violated the terms of the deal. It accused the Israeli military of preventing displaced Gazans from returning to the northern part of the enclave and alleged that humanitarian aid—specifically, temporary housing trailers—was being blocked from entering.

The three-phase ceasefire arrangement, brokered last month, put a pause on over a year of hostilities that followed Hamas’s brutal October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. During that assault, Hamas terrorists slaughtered approximately 1,200 people and abducted 251 hostages.

Under the terms of the deal, Hamas is required to release all hostages, while Israel must free thousands of Palestinian security prisoners—including hundreds serving life sentences. The agreement also mandated a halt in combat operations, with plans for negotiations aimed at achieving “sustainable calm” and an eventual Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called upon both Israel and Hamas to uphold their commitments, cautioning against a return to conflict. Writing on X, he urged, “We must avoid at all costs resumption of hostilities in Gaza that would lead to immense tragedy. I appeal to Hamas to proceed with the planned liberation of hostages. Both sides must fully abide by their commitments in the ceasefire agreement and resume serious negotiations.”

Currently, 17 hostages, both living and deceased, are still slated for release as part of the deal’s 42-day first stage.

Discussions regarding the next phase of the agreement, which is intended to secure the freedom of an additional 59 hostages in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners, along with an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire, were originally scheduled to commence last week.

In recent days, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted that Israel may restart military operations against Hamas rather than proceed to the second stage of the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Trump has doubled down on his position, insisting that all hostages must be freed and even suggesting that the United States take control of Gaza, forcibly relocating its population once the war ends.

Right-wing Israeli politicians embraced Trump’s firm stance on Tuesday.

“Everybody, now,” tweeted Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has previously threatened to topple the coalition government if Israel follows through with the ceasefire agreement rather than resuming military action. The phrase has become a rallying cry at demonstrations demanding the immediate return of the hostages.

Otzma Yehudit leader MK Itamar Ben Gvir, who quit the government last month in protest of the hostage deal but has signaled he might return if war efforts intensify, wrote, “Trump is correct. Return to destroying [Hamas] now.”

The Tikva Forum, which represents a vocal right-wing faction of hostage families, praised Trump’s approach and called on the Israeli government to seize the moment, referring to the ultimatum as “an opportunity that won’t repeat itself.”

“It is incumbent on the government of Israel today to name a date after which, if all the hostages — the living and the dead together — don’t return, there will be no more Gaza,” the forum stated.

“We in the Tikva Forum warned of the extortion Hamas is engaging in; when we take part in staged releases and give up on all our levers of pressure, Hamas recognizes its position of power and takes advantage of it,” the statement continued.

“What we saw [on Shabbos] was just a preview of what’s waiting for us in the coming weeks, at a time when our hostages are dying of hunger in tunnels,” the group added, referring to the frail condition of three hostages—Eli Sharabi, 52, Or Levy, 34, and Ohad Ben Ami, 56—whom Hamas released on Shabbos in exchange for 183 Palestinian security prisoners, 18 of whom were convicted of murder and serving life terms.

“Now, the time has come to return them all, at any price,” the Tikva Forum declared, referencing a widely used slogan advocating for the release of hostages regardless of security risks—“but Hamas will pay it.”

“No humanitarian aid. No electricity. No water. All the gates of hell opened,” the forum’s statement concluded. “In the Middle East there are no negotiations, only ultimatums.”

Meanwhile, the IDF announced on Monday night that it had raised its alert level in response to Hamas’s announcement regarding the hostage delay. As part of the increased readiness, the military canceled furlough for troops stationed in the Southern Command.

Combat units and other essential personnel have been instructed to remain in position rather than taking leave, the military stated.

In addition, the IDF said it was significantly increasing troop deployment along the Gaza border to reinforce defensive positions.

Shortly afterward, the army announced it was canceling a tree-planting event originally scheduled for Tuesday morning near the Gaza border.

The event, arranged by the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) near Be’eri, was meant to establish a forest in memory of those murdered in the October 7 attack and subsequent fighting. Hundreds of bereaved families were expected to attend.

The military emphasized that, beyond these adjustments, no additional security directives for civilians had been issued at this time.

{Matzav.com}