Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump has issued what he said was a “last warning” to Hamas to free all of the hostages in Gaza immediately – in a move that came just hours after the White House confirmed it was talking directly with the group.
“Release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you killed, or it is over for you,” Trump said in a statement on Wednesday, soon after receiving eight freed hostages at the White House.
Trump said that he would provide Israel “everything it requires to finish the job,” and threatened that “Not a single member of Hamas will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”
The comments came just hours after Washington confirmed reports that it was talking directly with Hamas about hostages and the Gaza ceasefire, in a move that goes against its tradition of not negotiating to groups it considers terrorist organizations.
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It also comes as international assistance and rights groups urge Israel ensure unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, after it stopped all aid into the enclave to pressure Hamas into accepting new terms for an extension of the ceasefire deal.
The United States, which designated Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997, traditionally does not speak with militant groups, though there have been exceptions – both the Obama and Trump administrations engaged Taliban, which was designated a terrorist group after 9/11.
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Hamas warned that Trump’s remarks threatened to undermine the Gaza ceasefire and hostage agreement.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said that these comments would complicate issues regarding the ceasefire deal and embolden Israel’s government to avoid implementing the agreement.
