The US President, Donald Trump, on Wednesday issued what he called a “last warning” to Hamas to release all the remaining hostages in Gaza, reported the Associated Press (AP).
In response, the Palestinian movement rejected Trump’s ultimatum and said it will only release the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Trump’s Warning
After meeting 8 former hostages at the White House, the US President wrote a sharply-worded message on his Truth Social platform. “Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” he said.
Trump also said that he would send Israel “everything it needs to finish the job,” warning that “Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.” He added: “Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
Furthermore, the US President addressed the people of Gaza directly. “To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!”
US-Hamas Direct Talks
Trump’s threat came just a few hours after the White House confirmed that US officials have engaged in direct talks with Hamas regarding hostages and the Gaza ceasefire, a first-of-its-kind engagement since the US State Department designated the group a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.
On this matter, the White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said that Trump has authorized his envoy to “talk to anyone,” referring to Trump’s hostage envoy, Adam Boehler. She also added that Israel was consulted on that matter.
The US-Hamas talks took place last month. Their primary focus was releasing American hostages and ending the war without Hamas in power in Gaza, AP cited a Hamas official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Hamas Rejects Trump’s Warning
On Thursday, Hamas rejected Trump’s threat, reaffirming its commitment to releasing the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
Moreover, the Palestinian movement warned that these comments undermine the Gaza ceasefire deal, accusing Trump and the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of trying to back out of the agreement.
Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua told Reuters: “The best track to release the remaining Israeli prisoners is by (Israel) going into the second phase and compelling it to adhere to the agreement signed under the sponsorship of mediators.”
Ceasefire Stalemate
Under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, negotiations for the second phase should have started on the 16th day of the first phase, which expired on Saturday. The second phase of the deal would involve releasing hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
However, Israel wants to extend the first phase, exchanging hostages, alive and deceased, in return for the continued release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and increasing aid flow into Gaza, as proposed by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Hamas rejected the Israeli demands, insisting on advancing to the second phase. As a result, Israel blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza, warning of “additional consequence” if Hamas does not resume the release of hostages.
European Response
In response to the Israeli move, the Foreign Ministers of the UK, France and Germany (E3) issued a joint statement on Wednesday, reiterating their support for the ceasefire agreement and calling on Israel to allow aid delivery into Gaza.
“We call on the Government of Israel to abide by its international obligations to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza,” the statement said, adding that “Humanitarian aid should never be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool.”
