Dismissing US And Israeli Threats About Ceasefire, Hamas: Our Position Is Clear

The release of Israeli female soldiers Agam Berger on January 30. (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - Hamas said it would not accept threats from the United States and Israel regarding the ongoing ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, amid a stalemate between the two sides over the implementation of a ceasefire agreement.

Statements by the United States and Israel regarding the ceasefire were based on the announcement of Hamas' plan to delay the release of hostages scheduled for Saturday this week.

"Our position is clear, and we will not accept the language of threat to America and Israel. Israel must commit to implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement for the release of the hostages," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement.

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Monday announced it would delay the release of Israeli hostages planned this weekend until further notice, as Israel violated the ceasefire.

"The release of prisoners, scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2025, will be postponed until further notice, pending re retroactive compliance with occupation and fulfillment of obligations in previous weeks," said military wing spokesman Hamas Abu Ubaida.

However, Hamas said it was open to fulfilling the timely release if Israel stopped the foul. Abu Ubaida said it was committed to a ceasefire agreement, as long as Israel complied.

In response, United States President Donald Trump said Hamas should release all hostages detained by militant groups in Gaza no later than Saturday afternoon or he would propose a cancellation of the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire and "unfortunate chaos to occur."

Separately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel remained determined to get all the hostages back.

"We will continue to take decisive and cruel action until we return all of our hostages, who are still alive and who have died".

Separately, United States President Donald Trump responded to Hamas' announcement by saying all hostages must be released on Saturday at 12 noon local time, or the ceasefire is canceled and will allow the 'chaotics to break up'.

Meanwhile in Israel, right-wing politicians Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir issued ultimatums to Hamas to immediately release all hostages, responding to President Trump's statement.

Prime Minister Netanyahu on Tuesday warned that the ceasefire would be null and the Israeli military would return to fight Hamas until they are defeated if they do not release hostages on Saturday.

It was announced after PM Netanyahu met with several key ministers, including defense, foreign affairs, and national security, who he said gave their full support for the ultimatum.

It is unclear whether PM Netanyahu asked Hamas to release all hostages held in Gaza or only three people are expected to be released on Saturday based on a ceasefire agreement.

Earlier, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the only way to take the hostages home was a ceasefire, while threats only complicate the problem.

"Trump must remember, there is a deal that must be respected by both parties, and this is the only way to bring the prisoners (Israel) back. The language of threat has no value and only complicates the problem," senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

It is known that Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire and release of hostages gradually starting January 19, after months of mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, after engaging in the latest conflict that broke out on October 7, 2023.

So far, 16 of the 33 hostages to be released in the first phase of the 42-day deal have returned home, while five Thai hostages have been returned in an unscheduled release.