UNITED States (US) President, Donald Trump, has issued a final warning for Hamas, demanding the release of all hostages and return of the bodies of those who have been “murdered” by them or “it is over” for them.
Trump stated that the US was sending Israel everything it requires to finish the job and not a single Hamas member would be safe if they don’t release the hostages, urging Hamas leadership to leave Gaza while they still have a chance.
In a post on his X handle, Trump said: “Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye. You can choose. 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.
“Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”
According to him: “I have just met with your former hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.
“Also, to the people of Gaza: 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!”
White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, in a statement on Wednesday, March 5, announced that Trump met eight of the hostages released from Gaza and listened to their heartbreaking stories.
The hostages were Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher and Noa Argamani.
The statement added: “Today, President Trump took time to meet with eight of the released hostages from Gaza. The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories.
“The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to bring all of the hostages home.”
The New York Times reported, citing two Israeli officials, a Western official and a diplomat briefed on the matter, said officials of the US and Hamas held a meeting in Qatar this week regarding hostages in the Gaza Strip, with Trump’s nominee for special envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, participating in the meeting.
The talks were focused on securing the release of Edan Alexander, the only Israeli American hostage still believed to be alive and bodies of four other Israeli Americans who were taken hostage in Gaza on October 7, 2023, following Hamas attack on Israel.
Leavitt did not deny that direct talks between the US and Hamas were underway when asked why the administration was holding talks with Hamas during the press briefing on Wednesday, but confirmed that Boehler, “who is engaged in those negotiations,” had “the authority to talk to anyone.”
After the White House confirmation of Trump administration’s direct talks with Hamas, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said: “In our contacts with the US, Israel expressed its stance on direct talks with Hamas.”
