The fragile foundation of the agreement between Hamas and Israel is teetering. Donald Trump's latest statement, on Monday, February 10, could deliver the final blow: "As far as I'm concerned, if all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday at 12 o'clock, I think it's an appropriate time. I would say, cancel it and all bets are off and let hell break out," he told reporters at the White House.

The American president was reacting to Hamas's threats to postpone the release of the hostages, scheduled for Saturday under the agreement. The Palestinian Islamist movement accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, "delaying the return of displaced people to northern Gaza, targeting them with shelling and gunfire across various areas of the Strip and failing to allow the entry of humanitarian aid in all its forms as agreed upon," as Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said in a statement released on Monday. The movement then asserted that the door remains "open" for the hostages's release to proceed "on time if the occupation [Israel] adheres to its obligations." It also blasted Trump's comments, which only "complicate matters."

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