Trump warns of consequences if Hamas fails to meet hostage deadline
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands following a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S. on Feb. 04, 2025. (AFP Photo)
US President Donald Trump declared on Friday that he is uncertain about “what will happen to Gaza” if Hamas fails to release Israeli hostages by noon, escalating tensions around the planned prisoner exchange.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump suggested he would take a harder stance on the situation. “If it were up to me, I would take a very tough position,” Trump said, adding that he “cannot say what Israel will do.”
The comments come as negotiations hit a critical point, with the sixth round of prisoner exchanges hanging in the balance. The planned exchange would see 369 Palestinian prisoners released in return for three Israeli hostages.
“Hamas has completely changed,” Trump said, criticizing the group for its reliability in the exchange process. “Now you want to release the hostages again, but you should see that this started with them saying they won’t release the prisoners.”
Trump emphasized that Hamas has until noon Saturday to release all hostages, noting that released captives appeared to be in poor condition. He specifically condemned the group’s treatment of female hostages.
The situation grew more complex after Hamas’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced a suspension of the prisoner exchange. Their spokesperson cited Israel’s failure to fulfill its ceasefire commitments as the reason for the suspension.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to end the ceasefire and launch intense attacks if Israeli hostages are not released, ordering military reinforcements around Gaza.
