Topline
President Donald Trump gave a stark “last warning” to Hamas on Wednesday, telling the militant group to free all the remaining hostages that it took during its 2023 attack on southern Israel and threatening them with “hell to pay”—as the White House negotiates directly with Hamas for the first time in over 25 years.
Trump made the statement Wednesday evening. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Key Facts
Trump demanded in a Truth Social post that Hamas release all remaining hostages, calling the group “sick and twisted” and adding, “not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”
Trump called his demand the “last warning” against Hamas, saying if it continues to hold hostages they “are DEAD” and that “THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
The president didn’t specify what will happen if Hamas doesn’t return hostages, but seemed to suggest a return to fighting in the Gaza Strip following a January ceasefire, writing, “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.”
The president, who has proposed a U.S. takeover of Gaza, also told Hamas leadership they should leave the war-torn territory immediately, and said to Gazans a “beautiful Future awaits” but if they hold hostages, “you are DEAD.”
The president’s comments come as the White House holds hostage negotiations with Hamas led by U.S. Envoy for Hostages Adam Boehler, who is pushing for the release of remaining U.S. hostages and a ceasefire extension or outright end to the Hamas-Israel war—marking the first known direct talks between the U.S. and Hamas since it was designated a terrorist group in the late 1990s.
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Tangent
Trump made a similarly worded threat to Hamas in January, around the same time when negotiations stalled as Hamas pushed for a full ceasefire in order for any hostages to be returned. Trump warned that “all hell will break loose” if the militant group did not return hostages by Inauguration Day. A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was reached three days prior to inauguration, which included a deal to return hostages.
Key Background
Israel and Hamas agreed to a temporary ceasefire on Jan. 19 that expired last weekend. However, large-scale fighting has not resumed since. The Israeli government has claimed Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, according to multiple reports. Qatar and Egypt are involved in the current hostage negotiations involving the U.S. Talks have reached an impasse, with Israel calling for a ceasefire extension lasting until next month and Hamas refusing to release more hostages until a permanent peace deal is reached, according to Reuters. The most recent phase of fighting between Hamas and Israel, which has claimed the lives of over 46,000 in Gaza and over 1,200 Israelis, began in Oct. 2023, when Hamas and other fighters entered Israel, prompting a massive Israeli response.
Further Reading
White House Negotiating Directly With Hamas—Breaking Years Of Precedent (Forbes)
Trump Gaza Proposal: Netanyahu Praises Trump’s ‘Bold Vision’ For Gaza Takeover After Rubio Meeting (Forbes)
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