Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas should be terminated if Hamas does not release all remaining hostages in Gaza by noon on Saturday. However, he clarified that the ultimate decision rested with Israel.
Trump’s remarks followed Hamas’ announcement that it would delay further hostage releases, accusing Israel of breaching the three-week-old ceasefire. In response, Trump argued that following the release of three visibly frail hostages on Saturday, Israel should demand the release of all captives by midday Saturday or resume military operations.
“If they’re not here, all hell is going to break out,” Trump warned. He further emphasized, “Cancel it, and all bets are off.”
Despite his strong stance, Trump acknowledged that Israel had the final say. “I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it,” he said. When asked if the U.S. would respond militarily if hostages were not released, he cryptically stated, “Hamas will find out what I mean.”
Trump’s comments also coincided with statements he made in an interview with Fox News, where he argued that Palestinians in Gaza would not have a right to return under his vision for U.S. “ownership” of the region. His remarks contradicted statements from other officials in his administration, who had described his proposal as a temporary measure to relocate Gaza’s population.
In an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Trump was asked whether Palestinians in Gaza would be allowed to return to their homes. “No, they wouldn’t,” he replied. This stance aligned with his increasing pressure on Arab nations, particularly Jordan and Egypt, to take in Palestinian refugees, even though Palestinians consider Gaza part of their future homeland.
“We’ll build safe communities, a little bit away from where they are, where all of this danger is,” Trump stated. “In the meantime, I would own this. Think of it as a real estate development for the future. It would be a beautiful piece of land. No big money spent.”
His proposal has faced strong opposition from Arab nations. Trump is set to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House on Tuesday. Concerns have been raised that his plan could jeopardize the long-standing two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Egypt and Jordan have also expressed security concerns about hosting large numbers of refugees, even on a temporary basis.
When asked about persuading King Abdullah to accept Palestinian refugees, Trump said, “I do think he’ll take, and I think other countries will take also. They have good hearts.”
However, he hinted that he might withhold U.S. aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refused. “Yeah, maybe, sure why not,” Trump remarked. “If they don’t, I would conceivably withhold aid, yes.”
Trump’s statements could put further strain on the delicate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has lasted for 15 months. The ongoing negotiations depend on significant humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for civilians in Gaza.
Following Trump’s remarks last week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to clarify his position. They asserted that Trump only intended for the relocation of Palestinians to be “temporary” to facilitate clearing debris, removing unexploded ordnance, and rebuilding infrastructure.
Trump also expressed concern over the well-being of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. He suggested that those already released were in relatively better health, while the remaining captives were in critical condition or possibly deceased. “Based on what I saw over the past two days, they’re not going to be alive for long,” he stated.
The parents of slain American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin, urged Trump and his negotiating team to act quickly. In a video message released on Saturday, they called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages.
“All 76 hostages out this week,” they demanded. “End of war. Who benefits from dragging it out for so long? Not the people of this region. Let’s get it done right now.”
Trump has not ruled out deploying U.S. troops to help stabilize Gaza, but he has insisted that no American funds would be used for its reconstruction. This stance has raised key questions about the feasibility of his proposal.
On Monday, Egypt reiterated its opposition to relocating Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank, warning that such a move could destabilize the region.
A statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the country’s support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. It stated that this was the foundation for a “comprehensive and just peace” in the region.
Egypt also rejected any measures that could violate Palestinians’ right to self-determination and independence. The statement underscored the right of return for Palestinian refugees displaced during the 1948 war, when hundreds of thousands fled or were forced to leave their homes in what is now Israel.
A senior Hamas official dismissed Trump’s remarks about U.S. “ownership” of Gaza, calling them “absurd.”
Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, criticized Trump’s statements, arguing that they demonstrated a lack of understanding of the region.
“These comments reflect a deep ignorance of Palestine and the region,” al-Rishq said in remarks released early Monday.
He further predicted that Trump’s approach to the Palestinian issue would not succeed. “Dealing with the Palestinian cause with the mentality of a real estate dealer is a recipe for failure,” he stated. “Our Palestinian people will thwart all transfer and deportation plans.”