CAIRO, Feb 11, (AP):  Hamas has brushed off President Donald Trump’s threat that "all hell” will break out if it does not release the remaining Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Saturday. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said Tuesday that the dozens of hostages would only be returned if all parties remain committed to a ceasefire deal reached last month.

"Trump must remember there is an agreement that must be respected by both parties. This is the only way to bring back prisoners,” he said. "The language of threats has no value; it only complicates matters,” he added.

Hamas has threatened to delay the next release of three Israeli hostages planned for Saturday, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, including by not allowing a surge of tents and shelters into the devastated territory. The agreement calls for the gradual release of dozens of hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Trump said Monday that a precarious ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas should be canceled if Hamas doesn’t release all the remaining hostages it is holding in Gaza by midday on Saturday - though he also said that such a decision would be up to Israel.

Trump was responding to Hamas saying it will delay the further release of hostages in the Gaza Strip after accusing Israel of violating the three-week-old ceasefire.

The U.S. president said that after the freeing of three visibly emaciated hostages on Saturday it was time for Israel to demand the release of all hostages by noon on Saturday, or restart the war. "If they’re not here, all hell is going to break out," Trump said.

He added of the ceasefire, "Cancel it, and all bets are off.” Trump said the final decision would be up to Israel, saying, "I’m speaking for myself. Israel can override it.” But asked if the U.S. would join in a response to Hamas if hostages weren't freed, Trump added, "Hamas will find out what I mean.”

Those comments came after Trump said in an interview with Fox News Channel that Palestinians in Gaza would not have a right to return under his plan for U.S. "ownership” of the war-torn territory - contradicting other officials in his administration who have sought to argue Trump was only calling for the temporary relocation of its population.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Hamas says it will delay the next hostage release after accusing Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement. Israel and Hamas are in the midst of a six-week ceasefire during which Hamas has committed to releasing 33 hostages captured in its Oct. 7, 2023, attack in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The next exchange, scheduled for Saturday, called for three more Israeli hostages to be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ military wing, accused Israel of systematically violating the ceasefire agreement over the past three weeks.

He cited "delays in allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, targeting them with airstrikes and gunfire across various areas of the Strip, and failing to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid as agreed.”

In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the delay by Hamas was "a complete violation” of the ceasefire agreement and that he instructed the Israeli military to be on the highest level of alert. Here's the latest: Egypt on Monday reiterated its rejection to the transfer of Palestinians from their territories in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, warning that such proposals threaten "the foundations of people” in the Middle East.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital is the basis for "comprehensive and just peace” in the region. The statement said Egypt rejects any violations to the Palestinians’ right of self-determination and independence and upholds the right of return for Palestinian refugees who were forced to flee their homes in what is now Israel during the 1948 war.

The statement urged the international community to "unite behind a political vision to resolve the Palestinian cause, based on the necessity of ending the historical injustice the Palestinian people have been subjected to.”

Amid reports of brutal conditions that hostages have been subject to, Israelis reacted with alarm after Hamas announced it would delay the hostage release scheduled for Saturday. Ofer Kalderon, who was released from Hamas captivity earlier this month, said he was held underground in dark tunnels for his entire captivity, had no access to news, experienced severe hunger and went months without showering or receiving proper care.

"Immediately after the first deal, the conditions of my captivity and those of many other hostages severely deteriorated and became brutal,” said Kalderon, referring to a week-long ceasefire deal in November 2023. "We must get everyone out as quickly as possible.” A doctor working with the families of hostages says freeing the remaining hostages being held in Gaza is a matter of life and death.

"The hostages are in a clear and present danger. Their lives are at risk,” said Dr. Hagai Levine. "Delaying their release means that some of them will not survive.” Hamas announced the delay on Monday after accusing Israel of violating a six-week fragile ceasefire.