Netanyahu to Convene Security Cabinet Amid Rising Tensions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene the security cabinet to discuss Hamas’s latest move, which Israeli officials see as an attempt to blackmail Israel.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are prepared to resume military operations in the Gaza Strip should hostilities escalate further.
Trump: All Hostages Must Be Released Immediately
Trump emphasized that his demand includes the release of all hostages at once, not in small groups.
“Not two, or one, or three or four—Saturday at 12:00, and after that, all hell will break loose,” he stated. He acknowledged that the final decision rests with Israel but stressed his personal position on the matter.
The American president expressed skepticism regarding Hamas’s willingness to release all the captives, suggesting that “many of the hostages are dying, and this is a huge human tragedy.” He compared the situation to historical atrocities, saying, “It looks like something from the 1930s.” He also speculated that Hamas may be looking for an excuse not to release more captives.
Trump on Hamas’s Strategy and Regional Dynamics
According to Trump, Hamas is strategically releasing certain hostages while withholding others. “Hamas looks at this and says, ‘Well, it’s not going to get much better than this,’ because they are apparently releasing the ‘best’ they have now,” he said, implying that Hamas is reluctant to release others who may be in worse condition.
Ahead of his meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan at the White House, Trump also addressed the issue of Palestinian refugees. He stated that he expects Jordan to accept refugees and warned that if Jordan and Egypt refuse, he may consider halting U.S. aid to these countries.
Hamas’s Calculated Pressure on Israel
Hamas appears to be leveraging the Israeli government’s urgency to secure the hostages’ release.
The group is reportedly operating under the assumption that Israel will not resume full-scale military operations in Gaza and that its most significant leverage is reducing humanitarian aid.
However, Israeli political officials assert that Hamas—not Israel—has violated the existing agreements.
Israel is looking to Qatar and Egypt to exert pressure on Hamas to comply.
Trump’s intervention signals strong U.S. backing for Israel, reinforcing political and military support.
IDF Prepared for Military Action
Senior Israeli security officials have confirmed that the IDF is ready to resume large-scale operations in Gaza if necessary.
Netanyahu’s security cabinet meeting will determine Israel’s next steps in light of Hamas’s actions.
Israeli intelligence assesses that Hamas is walking a fine line—creating crises to pressure Israel while avoiding a complete breakdown of negotiations.
The terror organization seeks to use the hostage situation to secure concessions, such as allowing it to maintain control over Gaza with international guarantees and ensuring a full withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Hamas’s Broader Strategy
Hamas is attempting to preempt Israeli demands for the second phase of the deal, including the release of all hostages, the exile of Hamas leaders, and the demilitarization of Gaza.
Israeli analysts believe that even if a temporary resolution is reached for the planned hostage release this Saturday, a collapse of the deal is inevitable, and renewed fighting in Gaza is only a matter of time.
