PTBP Web Desk
U.S. President Donald Trump has set a hard deadline for the release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump warned that if the hostages are not returned by midday Saturday, he would advocate for the cancellation of the ceasefire agreement currently in place between Israel and Hamas. His comments, “let hell break out,” underscore a potential drastic shift in U.S. policy towards the region.
Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the pace and condition of the hostages released thus far by Hamas, advocating for their immediate and complete release. “We want ’em all back,” he stated, emphasizing an all-or-nothing approach to the hostage negotiations. This statement comes at a time when the ceasefire, established last month, hangs by a thread, with Hamas announcing a halt in further releases due to alleged Israeli violations of the agreement terms.
Adding to the complexity, Trump reintroduced his controversial plan for Gaza post-conflict. Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on February 4, Trump proposed that the U.S. take control of Gaza to redevelop it into what he described as the “Riviera of the Middle East.” This proposal includes a permanent relocation of Palestinians, denying them the right to return to Gaza, which he justified by suggesting they would move to “much better housing” in new communities built away from current conflict zones.
Trump’s plans have stirred considerable controversy. His assertion that Palestinians would not return to Gaza contradicts statements from his own administration, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who suggested a temporary relocation during reconstruction but did not fully commit to the idea of permanent displacement. This discord was highlighted by the lack of immediate comment from the State Department on these discrepancies.
The reaction from the international community has been sharp, with Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri calling Trump’s statements “irresponsible” and warning of regional destabilization. Arab states, notably Egypt and Jordan, have vocally opposed any resettlement plan, fearing it could lead to forced migrations across borders, potentially destabilizing the region further.
Trump also mentioned potential consequences for countries like Jordan and Egypt, suggesting he might withhold aid if they do not accept Palestinian refugees. This was particularly poignant as he is scheduled to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah on Tuesday. His discussions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Washington highlighted Cairo’s firm stance against any plan that might push Palestinians into Egypt.
The proposal has been met with criticism from human rights advocates and the United Nations, who have labeled it as a form of ethnic cleansing. The idea of permanent displacement not only contradicts international refugee rights but also poses significant humanitarian challenges in terms of where and how displaced Palestinians would be resettled.
