Hamas official said a ceasefire is the only way to secure the return of Israeli hostages

A Hamas representative stated on Tuesday that the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza is contingent upon the adherence to a fragile ceasefire, rejecting the “language of threats” following U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about allowing chaos to ensue if the hostages are not released.

Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has begun to gradually release some hostages but has delayed further releases, claiming that Israel has breached the agreement by continuing its military operations in the Gaza Strip.

On Monday, Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, demanded that Hamas release all hostages by midday Saturday, threatening to advocate for the cancellation of the ceasefire if they fail to comply. His comments have sparked outrage among Palestinians and Arab leaders, disrupting long-standing U.S. policy that favored a potential two-state solution, as he attempts to impose his vision for Gaza, which has been ravaged by Israeli military actions and is facing severe shortages of food, water, and shelter.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, emphasized to Reuters that both parties must honor the existing agreement to facilitate the return of the Israeli prisoners, asserting that threats only serve to complicate the situation. Trump has suggested that the U.S. should take control of Gaza, which has seen extensive destruction, and relocate its over 2 million residents to transform the area into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Trump is scheduled to meet with King Abdullah of Jordan on Tuesday, a meeting that is expected to be fraught with tension due to the president’s proposal for Gaza redevelopment. This plan includes a potential threat to reduce aid to Jordan if the country does not agree to resettle Palestinians. The forced displacement of populations under military occupation is classified as a war crime under the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

The conflict in Gaza, which escalated following Hamas’s attacks on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, has been on hold since mid-January due to a ceasefire agreement facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

U.N. Secretary-General has issued a warning about the “immense tragedy” unfolding in the region.

According to the Gaza health ministry, over 47,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the past 16 months, with nearly the entire population of Gaza being internally displaced due to the ongoing conflict, which has led to a severe hunger crisis. Israeli reports indicate that approximately 1,200 individuals were killed during the 2023 Hamas-led assaults on southern Israeli communities, with around 250 taken hostage and brought to Gaza.

Trump’s proposals, which also threaten to cut aid to Egypt if it does not accept Palestinians, have added a new layer of complexity to an already delicate and volatile regional situation, particularly concerning the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

For Jordan, the prospect of Trump discussing the resettlement of approximately 2 million Gazans is alarmingly reminiscent of its fears regarding a large-scale expulsion of Palestinians from both Gaza and the West Bank. This notion aligns with a long-standing narrative among right-wing Israelis that envisions Jordan as an alternative homeland for Palestinians.

Amman’s apprehensions are heightened by a recent increase in violence along its border with the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where the aspirations of Palestinians for statehood are being swiftly undermined by the growth of Jewish settlements.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed on X on Tuesday that any resumption of hostilities must be avoided at all costs, warning that it would result in “immense tragedy.” He urged Hamas to move forward with the planned release of hostages and emphasized that both parties must adhere to their obligations under the ceasefire agreement and engage in meaningful negotiations.

Since 2014, the concept of a two-state solution has diminished significantly, following the collapse of Palestinian and Israeli efforts to achieve peace in one of the world’s most volatile regions.