After a significant meeting with former Israeli hostages on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump has delivered a stark ultimatum to Hamas: release all remaining prisoners in Gaza or face severe consequences. In a post shared on social media, Trump stated, "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." This statement comes after a previous deadline he set for Hamas to release hostages by February 15, which has since passed without compliance.
In his latest communication, Trump describes this ultimatum as a "last warning," emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "To the People of Gaza: A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!" he declared on his social media platform, Truth Social. This strong rhetoric follows his meeting with eight recently released hostages from Gaza, who shared their harrowing experiences. Among those present were Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher, and Noa Argamani, as noted in a White House statement.
In a related development, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the Biden administration has initiated direct discussions with Hamas officials. This move could potentially streamline efforts to secure the release of American hostages, although it remains unclear whether Israel was consulted prior to these talks. Leavitt described these discussions as part of Trump's commitment to acting in the best interest of the American people.
Trump's warning came shortly after his meeting with the former hostages, where he expressed sympathy for their plight. "Shalom Hamas" means "Hello and Goodbye - You can choose," he stated, urging Hamas leadership to consider their options carefully. The ongoing conflict escalated after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of over 250 hostages. In retaliation, Israel has conducted extensive military operations, leading to the deaths of at least 40,000 Palestinians and significant displacement.
The Trump administration has already approved nearly $12 billion in military sales to Israel, reinforcing U.S. support amidst the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, Trump repealed a memorandum from the Biden administration that imposed conditions on military assistance to Israel, which he deemed "baseless and politicized." This move has been a point of contention, particularly in light of the humanitarian crisis developing in Gaza.
Trump's remarks regarding Gaza's future have ignited controversy, especially after he suggested transforming the region into "the Riviera of the Middle East." During a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 4, Trump expressed his desire for the U.S. to take ownership of Gaza and redevelop it following the resettlement of Palestinians. He envisions turning the area into an international destination, despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The situation remains tense, with Hamas currently holding 59 hostages in Gaza, many of whom are feared dead. Although a truce was established six weeks ago, it has faced challenges recently. The ceasefire agreement facilitated the release of 33 hostages by Hamas, while Israel released approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, the two sides are now at an impasse regarding the future of the negotiations, with Israel blocking aid trucks from entering Gaza as of Sunday.
This story is developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
