On Wednesday, former President Donald Trump issued a stark and direct ultimatum to Hamas and the people of Gaza, demanding the immediate release of all hostages being held in the region. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump warned that if the hostages were not freed and the bodies of those killed returned without delay, there would be severe consequences. He wrote, “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.” He also addressed the people of Gaza directly, emphasizing that a “beautiful future” awaited them, but only if they released the hostages. Trump’s tone was unambiguously threatening, stating, “If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
Trump’s comments came shortly after he met with eight former hostages who had been released from Gaza. The White House identified these individuals as Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher, and Noa Argamani. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the administration was engaged in direct talks with Hamas to secure the release of U.S. hostages still being held in Gaza. Leavitt described these discussions as a “good-faith effort to do what’s right for the American people,” while also acknowledging the gravity of the situation by stating, “There are American lives at stake.” She added that Israel had been consulted and was involved in the process.
Hamas, however, responded to Trump’s threats with skepticism and concern. Hazem Qassem, a spokesperson for the group, told Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency that Trump’s statements were complicating efforts to sustain the ceasefire agreement and were encouraging Israel to avoid fulfilling its obligations under the deal. Qassem referenced a previously signed agreement, mediated by Washington, which outlined a three-stage process for the release of all prisoners. He claimed that Hamas had fulfilled its part in the first stage, while Israel was evading its responsibilities in the second stage. The six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas officially ended on Saturday, with no signs of an extension or further peace negotiations on the horizon. This marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, as it is the first time the United States has engaged in direct talks with Hamas, a group it has officially designated as a terrorist organization.
The U.S.-Hamas talks were first reported by Axios, and their scope remains somewhat unclear. When asked whether the discussions included Trump’s controversial proposal for the U.S. to take over Gaza, Leavitt declined to provide detailed information, redirecting inquiries to the State Department. The initial plan for the second phase of the ceasefire had envisioned Hamas releasing more hostages in exchange for Israel’s withdrawal from the Palestinian territory, with the ultimate goal of bringing an end to the war. However, with negotiations stalled, Israel reinstated its halt on the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, a decision that drew sharp criticism from Hamas. The group accused Israel of violating the agreement by failing to commit to ending the war and withdrawing completely from Gaza.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has grown increasingly dire, with critics arguing that the U.S.-backed Israeli strategy is exacerbating the crisis. Hazem Qassem accused the U.S. of strengthening the position of the Zionist right within Israel’s government, which has led to punitive measures such as the closure of border crossings and the use of “starvation policy” against the people of Gaza. Meanwhile, a plan proposed by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff aimed to extend the first stage of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, delaying the second phase of peace talks. Under Witkoff’s plan, half of the remaining hostages, including the bodies of those who had died, would be released on the first day, with the rest being freed once a permanent ceasefire was reached. However, Hamas rejected this proposal, arguing that it did not honor the original, multiphase ceasefire agreement.
As tensions escalate, both sides are digging in for a prolonged conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas that if more hostages were not released, “there will be consequences beyond your imagination,” adding that Israel was actively preparing for the next stages of its military campaign. The White House, for its part, has maintained that Israel has negotiated in good faith and that the U.S. will support whatever decision Israel makes moving forward, given Hamas’ apparent disinterest in continuing ceasefire talks. The situation remains deeply volatile, with the Biden administration’s initial ceasefire agreement, announced in January, now hanging in the balance. That deal had required Israel to pause its military operations in Gaza and secure the release of both living and deceased hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. As the standoff continues, the stakes for hostages, Gaza’s civilian population, and the broader region could not be higher.
