US President Donald Trump has said that if Hamas does not release all hostages by Saturday, "all hell will break loose" for the Islamic terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip.
"As far as I'm concerned, if they don't return all the hostages by Saturday at 12 o'clock - an appropriate time - what I would say is that we cancel everything and everything is allowed and we will let hell break loose," said the president from the Oval Office after signing several executive orders.
"I am speaking on my own behalf. Israel can do whatever it wants," he said, adding that the United States could become involved in the response if Hamas does not complete the release of hostages that it began in January as part of a ceasefire plan.
Trump's remarks came hours after Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Izz ad in al Qassam Brigade, Hamas' military wing, announced on his Telegram account that the terrorist organization had postponed the release of the hostages on February 15 until further notice due to alleged violations by Israel, which the Jewish state has rejected as "false."
Following the announcement, Netanyahu met with senior defense officials to assess the situation, and brought forward the meeting of the Security Cabinet to today.
In his final remarks at the White House, Trump expressed frustration at the physical condition of the three hostages freed Saturday, who appeared malnourished and emaciated, and the mental abuse they were subjected to.
The US president appears to have withdrawn his support for the phased releases agreed by Israel and Hamas under the truce, despite having been a powerful driving force behind the ceasefire and hostage release agreement before it came into effect on January 19.
"We want them all back," Trump said, rejecting the "piecemeal" release of hostages.
“Based on what I’ve seen over the last two days, they’re not going to be around for much longer,” the US president added. “Saturday at 12 o’clock, and then it’s a different game.”
Agencies contributed to this Aurora article
Don't let yourselves be blackmailed, it's the MODERN HOLOCAUST. STOP BEING WEAK, WE HAVE TO LEARN FROM MR DONALD TRUMP. Go after those terrorists and attack IRAN. YOU WON'T HAVE A GREAT WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY
It must be taken into account that negotiating with terrorists where they gained numerical advantage in the exchange and seeing our brothers humiliated and continuing to set conditions and not respecting the established agreement, the solution is not for a Clown to come out and promise more fire.