Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued an ultimatum to Hamas, stating that Israel will resume fighting in Gaza if all hostages are not released by noon on Saturday. This threat, backed by US President Donald Trump, has the potential to derail the three-week-old ceasefire between the two sides. Trump has also suggested that the US could take over Gaza and expel its 2 million Palestinian residents.
In response, various leaders, including Jordan’s King Abdullah and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, have expressed concerns about these proposals. King Abdullah has urged caution and emphasized the need for a fair settlement of the Palestinian cause, while Sisi has emphasized that the establishment of a Palestinian state is crucial for lasting peace in the region.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and Hamas have vehemently rejected Trump’s Gaza proposal, labeling it as racist and a form of ethnic cleansing. Mustafa has underlined the Palestinian Authority’s rejection of any schemes that involve forcibly displacing Palestinians from Gaza.
The United Nations has called on both Israel and Hamas to uphold the ceasefire and ensure that the latest hostage release proceeds as planned. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged both sides to honor their commitment to the agreement. Amid rising tensions, Hamas has affirmed its commitment to the ceasefire but has also held Israel responsible for any delays or complications. Overall, the region remains on edge as the deadline for the hostage release approaches.
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