US President Donald Trump on Monday said "all hell will break out" if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages by Saturday 12 o'clock.
"Hamas will find out what I mean," he said in response to a question about the nature of the retaliation to Hamas's failure to deliver at a news briefing in the Oval Office, which is increasingly becoming the norm.
Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, 73 are still in their custody; Israel has declared 34 of them to be dead. The rest have been released as part of a six-week ceasefire in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody of other deals.
The last bunch -- of these hostages -- were released by Hamas last Saturday in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners.
The condition of the freed hostages was described as "shocking" by Israel.
President Trump said in the news briefing that the hostages looked as if they "came out of the Holocaust".
He went on to say these hostages were probably in the best condition compared to the rest and that's why they were released by Hamas, because the others are "not going to make them look very good".
Trump then issued the Saturday deadline.
"If all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday at 12 o'clock," he said, "all bets are off and let hell break out. I'd say they ought to be returned by 12 o'clock on Saturday. And if they're not returned, all of them, not in dribs and drabs, not two and one and three and four and two."
Trump did leave room for departure from the deadline.
"I'm speaking for myself. Israel can override it. But from myself, Saturday at 12 o'clock, and if they're not, they're not here, all hell is going to break out."
Trump is due to meet Jordan's King Abdullah II in Washington this week.
The threat came after Egypt rejected earlier on Monday "any compromise" that would infringe on Palestinians' rights, in a statement issued after Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with his US counterpart in Washington.
‘Pahalgam incident deeply disturbing & tragic’: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as disturbing & tragic and also condoled the victims and their families.
Congress finally deletes 'Gayab' post targeting PM Modi after outrage
Under fire from the BJP over its social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress finally, on Tuesday, took down the controversial post.
Guterres calls EAM Jaishankar, Pak PM Sharif; stresses pursuing justice in Pahalgam terror attack
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the importance of pursuing justice in the Pahalgam terrorist attack while speaking with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shebaz Sharif, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Congress organises ‘Save Constitution’ rallies across NE states
The opposition Congress has been organising ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ (Save Constitution) campaign in the northeastern states. Claiming that the Constitution is in danger under the BJP-led Central government, the opposition Congress held a massive rally in Agartala on Tuesday.
RSS chief Bhagwat meets PM Modi after security huddle: Signs of a hard-hitting response in the works
In a significant political development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday evening.
What PM Modi's free hand to armed forces against terror means for cross-border action?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unambiguous message during a high-level security meeting - ‘India is determined to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism’ - marks more than just a strong statement of resolve.
Justice BR Gavai appointed as next Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 29, 2019. Appointed as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, he became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Three more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals, including a woman, for illegally entering India, officials said.