Trump warns of canceling Gaza truce if Hamas does not release hostages by Saturday

US President Donald Trump has given an ultimatum to Hamas and warned that the ceasefire truce would be cancelled if remaining Israeli captives were not returned by noon on the weekend. 

Trump stepped in after Hamas announced it would postpone releasing more hostages, blaming Israel for breaking the ceasefire agreement.

President Trump expressed concern that Israeli hostages set for release might have already been killed.

While setting his deadline for Hamas until Saturday, Trump said, “If they're not here, all hell is going to break out.”

Read: Hamas suspends release of Israeli hostages over ceasefire violation

He maintained that the decision to end the ceasefire truce depended on Israel and made it clear that “I am speaking for myself, Israel can override it.”

Trump said Palestinians would not have the right to return under his plan for US “ownership” of Gaza, contradicting statements of his officials who said that the US would relocate Gazans temporarily. 

Earlier on Monday, Hamas claimed ceasefire violation had included "delaying the return of the displaced to the northern Gaza Strip and targeting them with shelling and gunfire".

A spokesperson for Hamas had stated on Monday that the group intends to postpone the upcoming hostage release, citing Israel's alleged breaches of the ceasefire agreement.

Since the ceasefire commenced last month, there have been five exchanges, resulting in the release of 21 hostages and over 730 prisoners.

Read: Trump reiterates plan to ‘buy and own’ Gaza

The next exchange was planned for Saturday, involving the release of three Israeli hostages in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, accused Israel on Monday of consistently violating the ceasefire terms over the past three weeks, leading to the decision to delay Saturday's release.