Trump cautions that a collapse of the cease-fire could lead to serious consequences for all involved
Washington: Incoming President Donald Trump is sounding the alarm. He warned that “all hell will break out” if the cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas doesn’t hold. This deal is supposed to kick in Sunday morning.
With just two days until he takes office, Trump was asked if he thinks the hostages will be released under this new agreement. The first group is set to be freed Sunday afternoon.
“We’ll find out soon, and it better hold,” he told NBC News. Trump also mentioned that he advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “keep doing what you have to do.”
He emphasized that the situation needs to end, but Israel should continue its necessary actions. They’re planning to meet soon, but Trump didn’t share more details.
U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis echoed Trump’s concerns, urging both sides to stick to the agreement. The first phase involves Hamas releasing 33 hostages in exchange for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
“Trump made it clear that ‘all hell will break out if those hostages aren’t back,’” she said, stressing the importance of fulfilling the cease-fire terms.
Last week, both Trump and outgoing President Biden took credit for the cease-fire agreement, which had been a tough negotiation for months. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, played a key role in making it happen.
However, not everyone in Israel is on board with the deal. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized it as “terrible” and said he couldn’t support a government that would stop fighting Hamas.
The far-right Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, announced that some ministers would resign from the government over this issue.
A spokesperson for Trump didn’t respond to requests for comments on the situation.
