Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ultimatum that if the radical Palestinian group "Hamas" does not release more hostages on Saturday, Israel will end the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is a central topic in the Western press. Leading publications comment in the context of the prime minister's statement and the meeting at the White House between Donald Trump and Jordan's King Abdullah II, at which the US president confirmed his plan for US control over the coastal enclave.
Netanyahu's statement largely repeated Trump's ultimatum to "Hamas" from last night, the American newspaper notes. "New York Times". According to the US president, if all Israeli hostages held by the Islamist movement are not released by 12:00 on Saturday, the ceasefire agreement with Israel should be canceled and "all hell will break loose", the newspaper writes.
The publication points out that - unlike Trump - Netanyahu did not say whether all the hostages should be released or just three. However, he was categorical that "intense fighting" would resume, adds "New York Times".
According to the Israeli prime minister, Monday's threat by "Hamas" to postpone the next round of hostage exchanges for Palestinian prisoners is tantamount to violating the ceasefire agreement, which came into force on January 19, the American publication draws attention. It recalls that under the agreement, at least three hostages must be released.
So far, 16 of the 33 Israeli hostages agreed upon for the first phase of the ceasefire have been released. It was planned that about 60 more people, some of whom are believed to be dead, would be returned to Israel later under the upcoming second phase of the deal.
The king of Jordan has rejected the US president's plan to evict Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. "Trump claims US has the authority to "take over" Gaza" is the headline of the event.
"We will have Gaza. It is a war-torn region. We will take it. We will hold it. We will cherish it" are the words of the American head of state, quoted by the "New York Times". The newspaper points out that Abdullah II took note of Trump's efforts for peace in the region, but at the same time avoided commenting in detail on the US leader's plan for the coastal enclave.
However, when asked directly about the issue by reporters at the press conference after his meeting with Trump, the monarch largely objected to the intention to forcibly evict the residents of Gaza in order for the United States to take over the territory, the "New York Times" emphasizes. Abdullah nevertheless showed diplomacy, stating that the US and Jordan should consult with Arab countries, including Egypt, the publication notes.
Another American newspaper - the "Washington Post", points out that Trump is starting to "put pressure" for the implementation of his plan to turn Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East" and this was evident during his meeting with King Abdullah. The media outlet recalls that the president's statements have already caused mass discontent in Jordan, which is home to over 2 million Palestinian refugees.
"The Washington Post" also highlights Netanyahu's statement preceding the Trump-Abdullah meeting, emphasizing the Israeli prime minister's words that "military units are gathering around and inside the Gaza Strip" in preparation for the resumption of hostilities.-
The newspaper points out that the reason for Netanyahu's actions is the statement by "Hamas" on Monday that it will postpone the release "until further notice" because Israel has violated the ceasefire agreement with gunfire in the enclave. This is the first major obstacle on the path to achieving lasting peace in Gaza, the Washington Post notes.
The publication notes Hamas' dissatisfaction in other aspects as well - according to the Islamist group, the aid, which includes tents, is not entering the territory quickly enough, and there is also a need for increased evacuation of people in need of urgent medical care.
The move by Hamas came after Trump said in an interview with Fox News that Palestinians displaced from Gaza under his plan would not have the right to return to the enclave, the Washington Post notes.
"Amidst the truce debate, what support does "Hamas" actually have in Gaza right now?", asks Jason Burke, an analyst for the British newspaper "The Guardian". "The group still has a significant presence in the enclave, but after all the damage it has suffered, it will have to pass the blame if the ceasefire deal falls through," the author continues.
"Of the many factors that will determine the fate of the fragile ceasefire agreement in Gaza, one of the most difficult to assess and predict is the level of public support for "Hamas". The uncertainty - after just over half of the first phase of the truce has expired - complicates negotiations on the much more difficult-to-negotiate second phase," Burke notes.
He points out that the "Hamas" movement has agreed to the ceasefire deal partly because it is sensitive to the opinion of the Palestinians in Gaza, acknowledging that continuing the conflict could cause lasting damage to it.
On the other hand, the Israeli hostage handovers were done with "precisely choreographed to demonstrate the military power of the Palestinian group", the commentator of "The Guardian" points out. Charities working in Gaza report that many of their people in posts in the services there have returned to their posts in the enclave, and "Hamas" has harnessed municipal authorities to clear the rubble and rebuild schools, the analysis of the British publication says.
„Hamas" is quite visible on the streets. The police are working again and patrolling the main intersections. The ministries are also opening. "It's as if there was never a war," Burke notes after speaking to a senior UN official. The widespread presence of "Hamas", however, does not imply widespread support, the author summarizes in "The Guardian".
In turn, the French newspaper "Le Monde" points out that the ceasefire agreement has come under increasing pressure in recent days, after Trump and Netanyahu have successively issued their ultimatums to "Hamas". This has consequently led to diplomatic efforts to save the truce, the newspaper adds.