WASHINGTON, February 11. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump said his ultimatum to Palestine’s radical movement Hamas to release all Israeli hostages by Saturday noon or face consequences remains in force.
Asked by a reporter if his demand still stood during a meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II at the White House, Trump replied simply: "Yes".
When asked whether he thinks that Hamas will heed his warning, Trump also answered in the affirmative.
Previously, Trump demanded that Hamas release all hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip by Saturday noon, or "all hell is going to break out."
Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for Hamas' military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades group said on Monday the movement had postponed the release of a new group of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, who were to return home on February 15, due to Israel's violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Hamas believes that Israel violated terms of the deal when it "delayed the return of displaced Palestinians from Gaza's south to the north, targeted them with airstrikes and gunfire, and failed to facilitate the entry of all types of humanitarian cargo in sufficient quantities, as agreed." At the same time, Abu Ubaida said the radicals have "fully complied with their obligations" under the deal and "will adhere to the agreement as long as the opposite party does the same."
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said late on January 15 that thanks to the mediatory efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held in the enclave. During the first 42-day phase of the deal, Hamas will release 33 hostages in exchange for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The agreement came into effect on January 19.
The latest round of prisoner exchange took place on February 8, when three Israeli hostages were released. In return, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners from its jails.