Hamas Brushes off Trump’s Threats, Insists on Ceasefire Compliance

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Hamas Brushes off Trump’s Threats, Insists on Ceasefire Compliance/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Hamas has dismissed President Donald Trump’s threat that “all hell” will break out if it does not release all remaining Israeli hostages by Saturday. A Hamas spokesperson insisted that the ceasefire agreement must be honored by both sides before any further hostage releases take place. Meanwhile, Israel confirmed that an elderly hostage believed to be in Hamas captivity was actually killed in the October 7 attack, while international leaders—including the UN chief and Egypt’s foreign minister—warn that renewed fighting in Gaza would lead to disaster.

Displaced Palestinians, traveling in vehicles, wait in line to pass through a security checkpoint at the Netzarim corridor as they make their way from central Gaza to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Hamas Rejects Trump’s Threats: Quick Looks

Hamas has refused Trump’s demand to release all remaining Israeli hostages by Saturday, saying the ceasefire must be respected.
Israel’s military confirmed that an 85-year-old hostage was actually killed during the October 7 attack, contradicting previous reports.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister and Turkey’s Erdogan condemned Israel’s actions, calling them colonization.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that renewed fighting in Gaza would lead to an “immense tragedy.”
Egypt’s foreign minister rejected Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, insisting on a two-state solution.

Hamas Brushes Off Trump’s Threats, Calls for Ceasefire Compliance

Hamas: “Ceasefire Must Be Respected”

Hamas has dismissed Trump’s warnings that Israel should cancel the ceasefire if hostages are not released by Saturday, saying that both sides must fully honor the existing truce.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stated:

“Trump must remember there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties. The language of threats has no value; it only complicates matters.”

Hostage Swap Faces Delays Amid Ceasefire Tensions

Hamas has threatened to delay the next scheduled hostage release, accusing Israel of:

Blocking humanitarian aid and shelter supplies from reaching Gaza.
Delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza.
Continuing airstrikes and military activity in violation of the ceasefire.

Israel and Hamas previously agreed to a hostage exchange deal, where 33 Israeli hostages would be released in phases in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Since January 19, Hamas has released 21 hostages, while Israel has freed over 730 Palestinian prisoners. However, negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire—meant to secure the release of all remaining hostages—are increasingly at risk.

Israel Confirms Elderly Hostage Was Killed in October Attack

Israeli military officials announced Tuesday that Shlomo Mantzur, an 85-year-old Israeli man initially believed to be held by Hamas, was actually killed during the October 7 attack.

Mantzur’s case had become symbolic in Israel, with calls for urgent action to secure the release of elderly hostages.
His body was taken to Gaza, leading to initial misreports that he was still alive.
The revelation has intensified public anger in Israel, with protesters blocking highways to demand a stronger push for hostage releases.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing domestic pressure to extend the ceasefire to secure further releases. More than 70 hostages remain in Gaza, with nearly half confirmed dead by Israeli authorities.

Global Leaders Warn Against Renewed Fighting in Gaza

UN Chief: “Hostilities Would Lead to an Immense Tragedy”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged Hamas and Israel to continue negotiations, warning that:

“A resumption of fighting would lead to an immense tragedy.”

He also called on Hamas to continue hostage releases and urged Israel to abide by ceasefire commitments.

Malaysia, Turkey Condemn Israel’s Actions

During a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim accused Israel of:

Colonizing Palestinian land
Blocking meaningful peace talks
Hindering humanitarian aid to Gaza

“How much negotiation can you have when the colonizer has not withdrawn?” Ibrahim asked.

Malaysia has long supported Palestinian statehood and rejects any effort to permanently remove Palestinians from Gaza.

Egypt Rejects Trump’s Gaza Resettlement Plan

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where he:

Rejected Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza
Emphasized the need for a two-state solution
Called for immediate reconstruction efforts in Gaza

Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab nations have firmly opposed Trump’s plan, stating that Palestinians must remain in Gaza and rebuild their homeland rather than be displaced permanently.

What Happens Next?

Hamas is likely to delay hostage releases, escalating tensions.
Israel faces pressure from both domestic protesters and Trump, who demands a ceasefire cancellation.
Global calls for diplomacy are growing, but a full agreement on hostage exchanges remains elusive.

As negotiations hang by a thread, the fate of the ceasefire—and the remaining hostages—remains uncertain.