Lyse Doucet
Chief international correspondent
President Trump’s call for all hostages to be freed by Saturday is now threatening a ceasefire which was fragile from the start.
Members of Israel’s government have seized his warning as an opportunity to end a deal they never liked. On the morning of 19 January, when the first phase of this truce came into force, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar immediately called it a “temporary ceasefire”.
His comments underlined how it wasn’t seen as a path to end the war, but a means to bring Israeli hostages home, then resume the fight.
So far, Prime Minister Netanyahu seems to be trying to keep his options open. Members of his security cabinet emerged from their four-hour meeting yesterday repeating President Trump’s ultimatum.
But the Israeli leader only said “our hostages” had to be freed, not “all”.
Egyptian and Qatari mediators, along with other players, are certain to do what they can to prevent a collapse.
President Trump, who vowed to be the president who stops war, not start them, may have more to say as the consequences of his comments become clearer.
There will also be pressure on Hamas which first raised questions about the ceasefire by accusing Israel of violating its terms. The deal requires it to release the names of the next three hostages by Friday.
Then it will be Israel’s move.
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