Mr. Trump made the comments about the hostages while signing executive orders on Monday at the White House. He spoke hours after Hamas said it was delaying the next release of hostages, which was scheduled for Saturday, as a spokesman accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, including by targeting Palestinians in Gaza with airstrikes.

CAIRO (AP) — A top Hamas official says the group will free six living Israeli hostages on Saturday and return the bodies of four others on Thursday, a surprise acceleration in releases apparently in trade for Israel’s allowing mobile homes and construction equipment into the devastated Gaza Strip.

Three men including the last living American-Israeli civilian held in Gaza were freed in a propaganda-tinged event that was calmer than many previous releases.