United States President Donald Trump has delivered an ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages and the return of the bodies of those killed, warning that failure to comply would result in severe consequences.
In a strongly worded message posted on X, Trump stated, “‘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.”
The President further urged Hamas leadership to leave Gaza while they still had a chance, warning of dire repercussions if they continued to hold hostages.
He stated, “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!”
Meeting with released hostages
The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed that President Trump met with eight individuals who had been released from Hamas captivity.
Among them were Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher, and Noa Argamani.
In a statement issued on March 5, Leavitt said, “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.”
US-Hamas talks in Qatar
According to The New York Times, officials from the United States and Hamas recently held discussions in Doha, Qatar, regarding the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip.
Citing two Israeli officials, a Western official, and a diplomat briefed on the negotiations, the report revealed that Trump’s nominee for special envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, participated in the talks.
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Sources indicated that the discussions focused on securing the release of Edan Alexander, the only Israeli-American hostage still believed to be alive, as well as the remains of four other Israeli-Americans taken hostage during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not deny that the US was engaging in direct negotiations with Hamas. When questioned about the matter during a press briefing, she stated that Boehler, “who is engaged in those negotiations,” had “the authority to talk to anyone.”
Israeli response
Following confirmation of these direct talks, Israeli officials responded cautiously. While refraining from providing detailed comments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a brief statement affirming, “In our contacts with the US, Israel expressed its stance on direct talks with Hamas.”
The development comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas, with the US administration actively involved in diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages while continuing its military support for Israel.
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