Hamas Concedes After Trump Warns ‘All Bets Are Off’ [WATCH]

Hamas announced on Thursday that it will proceed with the planned release of Israeli hostages, following mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar to resolve a dispute that threatened to derail the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas stated that mediators have assured efforts to “remove all hurdles” and confirmed that three more Israeli hostages will be released on Saturday.

While this decision allows the ceasefire to continue for the time being, its long-term viability remains uncertain.

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Earlier this week, Hamas had threatened to delay the release, accusing Israel of failing to meet its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, including allowing humanitarian aid and shelter supplies into Gaza. In response, Israel warned of severe consequences.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation, making clear that if Hamas does not return all hostages by Saturday at noon, Israel should abandon the ceasefire.

“I would say cancel [the ceasefire]… all bets are off and let hell break out,” Trump stated earlier this week.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: “If all of the hostages are not returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock, I would say cancel it and all bets are off… All of them. Not in drips and drabs.” pic.twitter.com/MozJATMKRy

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 10, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Trump’s stance, warning that if Hamas fails to follow through, Israel will resume military operations in Gaza.

“The ceasefire will end, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated,” Netanyahu declared on Tuesday. “I have ordered the IDF to amass forces inside—and surrounding—the Gaza Strip.”

Video : in English Translated from Hebrew
PM Benjamin Netanyahu ‘s new plan for Gaza
If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated#Netanyahu #hamas #gaza #trump #IDF… pic.twitter.com/ouSgqEbYsZ

— Botin Kurdistani (@kurdistannews24) February 12, 2025

Israel’s Southern Command has placed multiple divisions on high alert, including the Gaza Division and 162nd Division.

The Israeli Air Force and Intelligence Division have also increased readiness for potential operations.

According to Israeli reports, forces are prepared to retake the Netzarim corridor within hours if fighting resumes.

Military sources suggest that Israeli forces could expand operations in Gaza within 24 hours should hostilities restart.

The four-mile-long Netzarim corridor separates northern Gaza from the south.

Under the ceasefire, Israel had allowed displaced Palestinians to return to the north, but renewed conflict could force them to flee once again.

Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire through deadly shootings and by obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries.

Israel has denied these allegations, stating that it has only taken action against individuals who ignored warnings not to approach its forces.

A Hamas official insisted that Israeli hostages would only be released if Israel fully honors the ceasefire terms.

“Trump must remember there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties, and this is the only way to bring back the [Israeli] prisoners,” senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

Following Trump’s remarks, Hamas initially declared that it would not be pressured into releasing captives but later appeared to reverse course, signaling a willingness to comply with the agreement.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Israel’s stance, emphasizing that Hamas should not be allowed to use the ceasefire to regroup and strengthen its capabilities.

“Part of the challenge here is that Hamas continues to use networks to smuggle in weaponry and aid for themselves to reconstitute themselves,” Rubio said in an interview with NewsNation.

“Israel can’t allow that to happen. You can’t allow Hamas to use the ceasefire to rebuild itself and recover strength,” he added.

“It’s a ceasefire, but it’s not a stupid ceasefire.”

As of now, it remains unclear how many of the 76 hostages still held by Hamas are alive.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that any further delays in the hostage release would constitute a “complete violation” of the ceasefire agreement.

With tensions high and the deadline approaching, the fate of the ceasefire—and the remaining hostages—remains uncertain.

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