US President Donald Trump set a Saturday deadline for all hostages to be released from Gaza, saying that otherwise "all hell" would break out and he would call for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire to be canceled.

Trump's latest extraordinary intervention in the Middle East came after Hamas threatened to postpone any further hostage-prisoner exchanges, placing the fragile six-week truce that took effect on January 19 at risk.

Describing Hamas's move as "terrible", Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he would "let that be Israel's decision" on what should ultimately happen to the ceasefire.

"But as far as I'm concerned, if all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday........

© International Business Times