Ceasefire Agreement Faces Major Setback
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas faces uncertainty after Hamas officials accused Israel of breaking the agreement. The militant group threatened to delay the next round of hostage releases, raising fears that the truce could collapse.
According to the ceasefire terms, Hamas was set to release three more Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners on Saturday. However, the group claimed Israel was not holding up its end of the deal, accusing Israeli forces of attacking Palestinians and restricting humanitarian aid.
Trump Issues Ultimatum Over Hostage Release
U.S. President Donald Trump reacted strongly to Hamas’ statement, warning that “all hell is going to break out” if the remaining hostages are not freed by Saturday. He announced that if Hamas did not comply, he would consider canceling the ceasefire agreement altogether.
Trump did not clarify whether his deadline referred to noon or midnight, nor did he specify the time zone. His warning has added pressure to an already tense situation, leaving global leaders wondering if the ceasefire will hold.
Hamas and Israel Disagree on Ceasefire Terms
Hamas claims Israel has failed to meet key conditions of the ceasefire. The group accused Israel of preventing displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, launching airstrikes, and limiting humanitarian aid.
Israeli officials dismissed these accusations, stating that 12,600 humanitarian aid trucks have entered Gaza since the ceasefire began. They also argued that Hamas is using hostages as leverage to gain more political power.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Minister placed the military on high alert, calling any delay in releasing hostages a “complete violation” of the agreement.
Trump Proposes Relocating Palestinians from Gaza
In a controversial move, Trump has proposed relocating Palestinians out of Gaza permanently. He suggested building new communities in an unspecified location outside the enclave, arguing that Gaza is no longer habitable.
Trump, a former real estate mogul, referred to his plan as a “real estate development for the future.” He insisted that Palestinians would have “much better housing” in these new locations, but he did not provide details on where they would be moved.
The proposal has been widely condemned by Arab nations, U.S. allies, and international organizations, with many accusing Trump of supporting ethnic cleansing.
Israeli Troops Withdraw From Key Area
In a separate development, Israeli troops withdrew from the Netzarim corridor, a strategic area that had divided Gaza. The withdrawal allowed more Palestinians to return home, but much of northern Gaza remains in ruins due to months of intense fighting.
Hamas celebrated the withdrawal as a victory, claiming it forced Israel to retreat. However, Israeli officials have not disclosed the full extent of the troop movement. They confirmed that soldiers remain stationed along Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt, and a complete withdrawal will be negotiated in a later phase of the ceasefire.
Ceasefire Agreement Faces Uncertain Future
The current ceasefire is structured into two phases.
– In the first six weeks, Hamas is gradually releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for a pause in fighting, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and increased humanitarian aid.
– The second phase, which has yet to be fully negotiated, involves Hamas freeing all remaining hostages in return for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a “sustainable calm.”
However, with both sides accusing each other of violating the deal, the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain. If Hamas delays the hostage release, Israel may retaliate, and Trump may push to end the truce altogether.
A War That Has Left Thousands Dead
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and capturing 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military campaign that has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. Israel claims that 17,000 of those killed were Hamas militants. With tensions rising and the ceasefire at risk, the world is watching closely to see whether the deal can survive or if fighting will resume once again.