Trump threatens Gaza with 'very hard stance' if captives not released
2 Min Read
Donald Trump makes no guarantees on behalf of the Israeli occupation as the handover date of captives held in Gaza nears, threatening the Palestinian Strip with war instead.
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US President Donald Trump walks from the Oval Office to depart on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, on Friday, February 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
"I can't tell you what Israel is going to do," US President Donald Trump warned, threatening, however, with a "very hard stance" against Gaza amid the release of Israeli captives during Saturday's handover.
Earlier this week, Trump said he would "let all hell break loose" if Israeli captives being held in the Gaza Strip were not released by noon on Saturday. Speaking to reporters, Trump did say that it is ultimately up to the Israeli government to decide what would happen.
"I'm speaking for myself. Israel can override it," Trump explained.
Trump snapped again on Friday, saying he would take a hard stance against Gaza if the captives were not released by noon on Saturday.
The spokesperson for the Martyr Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, had announced that the captive exchange set for February 15 has been postponed until further notice, due to the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
The violations include Israeli forces opening fire on Palestinians, tanks trespassing the permitted distance, and preventing the entry of heavy equipment, medical supplies, and caravans.
However, "Israel" conveyed a message to Hamas through Egyptian and Qatari mediators, stating that the ongoing prisoner release-ceasefire agreement will continue if the Palestinian group releases three captives on Saturday, Axios reported, citing a senior Israeli official.
As a result, the Palestinian Resistance factions announced that three captives would be handed over, including an Israeli-American settler.
Read more: Palestinian Resistance leader details 'Israel's' violations: Exclusive
