The survival of the Gaza cease-fire, as well as the territory’s long-term status, hung in the balance on Tuesday as President Trump prepared to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah II following a public disagreement between the American leader and Hamas.
Mr. Trump intends to take control Gaza and deport Palestinians to neighboring nations, notably Jordan. He has threatened to withdraw American financial backing for Jordan if the monarch does not embrace that idea.
The argument is one of numerous that threatens the fragile peace between Hamas and Israel. Hamas tried to disrupt the accord on Monday night, saying it would postpone the release of certain detainees until Saturday if Israel did not provide more supplies to Gaza.
In response, Mr. Trump warned “all hell” if the hostages were not released by the weekend. Hamas eventually changed its position, before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened on Tuesday night that if captives were not released by Saturday, Israel would begin fighting. He did not immediately specify how many hostages needed to be released, giving himself leeway to maneuver.
While the present crisis is expected to be handled shortly, analysts say another barrier looms in March, when the cease-fire is slated to expire unless Hamas and Israel reach an agreement.
“It’s likely that they will reach a compromise before Saturday,” said Ibrahim Dalalsha, head of the Horizon Center, a political study organization in Ramallah, West Bank.
Negotiations have become more difficult due to the actions of all main actors.
Mr. Netanyahu has postponed the discussions, fearing that an extension will allow Hamas to remain the dominant military force in Gaza.
Hamas, while officially eager to share leadership with other Palestinian factions, has shown no indication that it will disarm.
And Mr. Trump’s statements, including threats to evict Gaza residents, have enraged Hamas and heightened the impression of turmoil surrounding the discussions.
Mr. Trump has frequently called for the US to occupy and reconstruct Gaza, threatening on Monday to withhold financial aid from Egypt and Jordan if they do not accommodate Palestinians displaced by that endeavor.
Such forced migration would destabilize both countries, and King Abdullah is anticipated to provide options to President Trump.
Analysts disagree on whether Mr. Trump’s proposal is genuine, but the disagreement underlines the mounting uncertainty regarding Gaza’s future.
The present deadlock is mainly due to Hamas’ assertion that Israel failed to keep its pledges during the first phase of the cease-fire. Israel was expected to bring hundreds of thousands of tents into Gaza, a pledge Hamas claims Israel did not keep.
Three Israeli officials and two mediators, speaking on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss a delicate topic, confirmed Hamas’ assertions.
