President Trump Says US May Run Out Of Patience Related To Ceasefire Deal In Gaza

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump on Sunday said he may have lost his patience with a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, after seeing footage featuring Israeli hostages released on weekends, comparing his performances with Holocaust survivors from World War II.

President Trump's reaction when he saw pictures of the three hostages, who looked thin when released on Saturday, created new uncertainty over the fate of the deal before all the remaining 76 hostages were released, came days after President Trump called for the transfer of Palestinians from the enclave and then took over.

"They look like Holocaust survivors. They are in a terrible condition. They are thin dry," President Trump told reporters in Air Force One while flying to New Orleans.

"I don't know how long we can hold it back one day we will lose our patience," he continued.

"I know we have an agreement, they keep coming and keep coming, but their condition is really bad," President Trump said of the Israeli hostages.

Ohad Ben Ami and Eli Sharabi, who were held hostage from Kibbutz Be'eri during a Hamas-led attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and Or Levy, who were kidnapped that day from the Nova music festival, were herded to the Hamas podium by gunmen on Saturday, ahead of their release to Israeli authorities.

The three men appeared to be in worse condition than the other 18 hostages who were previously released by ceasefire, agreed on January 15 months after the war began.

On the other hand, many Palestinian prisoners released by Israel also look thin dry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday the view of the weak hostages was shocking and would be handled. In exchange for the three men, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday.

President Trump also told reporters he remains committed to the US buying and taking over Gaza's holdings after Palestinians left or were expelled from the enclave, a surprising announcement he made on February 4 during Netanyahu's recent visit to Washington.

He said other countries might take part in rebuilding parts of the Gaza Strip.

"As far as rebuilding is concerned, we will probably give it to other Middle Eastern countries to build some of its parts, others may do so, through our auspices. However, we are committed to having it, taking it, and ensuring that Hamas does not back down," he said.