Washington – President Trump sent what he called a “final warning” to terrorist group Hamas on Wednesday to release all hostages still in Gaza, and directed a sharp message after the White House confirmed that he had recently sent an envoy to negotiate directly with the group like never before. Mr. Trump added in a statement on his truth social platform shortly after meeting with the White House of eight former hostages that he “sent to Israel to do everything he needs to do his job.”
“Now no longer release all hostages later and return immediately all the bodies of the person you were murdered, otherwise it is over.” “Only the sick and twisted people keep your body, you are sick and twisted!”
Mr. Trump ended his post in his post, sending a message to the people of Gaza, many of whom did not support Hamas, saying: “A great future awaits, but if you take the hostage.
Hamas said on Thursday that Trump threatened to “encourage” Israel to ignore the ceasefire clause.
“These threats complicate the issues regarding the ceasefire agreement and encourage occupation to avoid enforcing its terms,” Hazem Qasim, a spokesman for Hamas, said in a statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has Swear to “open the door to hell” If Hamas didn’t Refund all hostages.
The president’s sharp language is to stay away from the long-standing U.S. policy of not directly contacting any U.S. designated terrorist organization after the White House said Wednesday that U.S. officials had “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials. This is the first known direct involvement between the United States and Hamas since the State Department designated a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.
Talks in Doha, the capital of Katari, confirmed during Israel-Hamas ceasefire Hang in balance.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to provide details about the substance of the talks, but Mr. Trump has authorized his envoy to “talk to anyone.”
“The President believes that talking to people around the world and talking to people around the world is something to the best interests of the American people…thinks it as a good intention to do what suits the American people,” she said.
Leavitt added that Israel had consulted directly with Hamas officials, noting that “the life of the United States is at stake.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expressed brief recognition of the Us-Hamas talks. “Israel has expressed its position to the United States in direct negotiations with Hamas,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Egyptian and Qatar intermediaries have been serving as mediators for Hamas.
Israeli officials said about 24 living hostages – including Edan Alexander, a U.S. citizen, and the bodies of at least 35 people are still in Gaza.
Adam Boehler, the special messenger for Trump’s nominee as hostage affairs, led the direct negotiations with Hamas. Boehler, founder and CEO of the healthcare investment firm Rubicon, was the chief negotiator of the Abraham Agreement team during Mr. Trump’s first term, working to earn widespread recognition of Israel in the Arab world.
The talks held last month focused on the release of American hostages and the potential end of the war, according to a Hamas official who was not authorized to comment publicly and speak on anonymous.
Officials added that no progress was made, but “the steps themselves are promising” and more negotiations are expected. Egyptian and Kathari mediators helped arrange the talks.
Direct participation is because the continuation of the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire remains uncertain. Mr. Trump has shown that if Hamas disagrees with the conditions of the new ceasefire proposal, he has no intention to return Netanyahu from the fight, and the Israelis are drafted by the U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
The new plan will require Hamas to release half of its remaining hostages – the main bargaining chip for terrorist groups – in exchange for a delay in the ceasefire and promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Israel has not mentioned the release of more Palestinian prisoners, a key component of the first phase, which expired on Saturday.
Mr. Trump welcomed eight former hostages on Wednesday – Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher and Noa Argamani to the White House.
“The president is focused on listening to their heartbreaking stories,” Levitt said. “Hostages are grateful to President Trump for his firm efforts to bring all the hostages home.”
News website Axios first reported on our negotiations with Hamas officials.
