US President Donald Trump has delivered a stark ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza. In a fiery post, Trump declared:
“RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
Trump promised to send Israel “everything it needs to finish the job,” adding that not a single Hamas member would be safe if they failed to comply. His warning comes just hours after the White House confirmed it was holding direct talks with Hamas over the release of US citizens held hostage, despite the longstanding US policy of avoiding engagement with designated terrorist groups.
It is being reported that a spokesperson for Hamas accused Trump of undermining the ongoing ceasefire agreement, saying his threats would “complicate matters” and encourage Israel to avoid honouring its terms.
The US government’s shift in policy to negotiate directly with Hamas, a group it designated as a terrorist organisation in 1997, marks a significant departure from its previous stance.
The White House confirmed the engagement, with special envoy Adam Boehler leading the discussions in Qatar, a key ally in the region. Although Israel was consulted before the talks, the Israeli government has not publicly clarified its position.
Trump’s statement follows his meeting with recently released hostages at the White House, and underscores his unyielding stance on securing the return of American citizens held in Gaza.
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