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Trump backs ‘hard stance’ unless Hamas releases hostages on February 15

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"

WASHINGTON, February 15. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump favored taking a "hard stance" on the Gaza Strip unless Palestine’s radical movement Hamas releases all Israeli hostages on February 15.

"I don't know what's going to happen at 12 o’clock. If it was up to me, I would take a very hard stance but I can't tell you what Israel is going to do," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Now I understand that Hamas has totally changed. They want to release hostages again," he added.

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."

On February 10, Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military faction, announced a delay in the release of the next batch of hostages scheduled for February 15. The movement claimed Israel violated the agreement by delaying the return of displaced people from the south of the enclave to the north, opening fire on Gaza civilians, and failing to ensure the delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid. On the next day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of renewed military action in Gaza if Hamas did not release the Israeli hostages at a set date. On February 13, Hamas assured that it would comply with the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, including the timely exchange of hostages.

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United States Donald Trump

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