Thursday, March 6, 2025 - US President Donald Trump issued what he said was a “last warning” to Hamas to release all of the hostages in Gaza immediately, a move that came just hours after the White House confirmed it was negotiating directly with the militant group.
“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,” Trump
posted on Truth Social on Wednesday night, March 5, soon after meeting eight
freed hostages at the White House.
Trump wrote that he would send Israel “everything it needs to finish the
job,” and warned that “Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do
as I say.”
The comments came hours after the US confirmed reports that it was
negotiating directly with Hamas about hostages and the Gaza ceasefire, in a
move that goes against its tradition of not talking to groups it considers
terrorist organizations.
It also comes as international aid and rights groups demand Israel
ensure unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, after the country stopped all
aid into the area to pressure Hamas into accepting new terms for an extension
of the ceasefire agreement.
The United States, which designated Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist
Organization in 1997, traditionally does not speak with terrorist
organizations, though there have been exceptions – both the Obama and Trump
administrations negotiated with the Taliban, which was designated a terrorist
organization in the wake of 9/11.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked Wednesday, March
5, why the US was negotiating “directly and for the first time ever with
Hamas.”
“When it comes to the negotiations that you’re referring to, first of all, the special envoy who’s engaged in those negotiations does have the authority to talk to anyone,” she said, referring to Trump’s pick for hostage envoy, Adam Boehler.
“Israel was consulted on this matter, and look, dialogue and talking to
people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American
people is something that the president has proven is what he believes is (a)
good faith effort to do what’s right for the American people,” Leavitt added.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said it had “expressed to the United
States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.”
In his comments on Truth Social, Trump also
addressed the people of Gaza directly, saying “a beautiful future awaits, but
not if you hold hostages.”
“If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES
NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!” Trump said.
Trump has previously said he views Gaza as a
“big real estate site” that he sees an opportunity to develop and that he
envisions Gaza could become the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
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