President Donald Trump issued a stark threat to Hamas on Wednesday (Image: AP)
has delivered a stern ultimatum to , demanding the immediate release of all remaining hostages in Gaza.
During an encounter at the White House with the US President took to his Truth Social platform to declare: “‘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 then continued: “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say. I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning!”
Before chillingly adding: “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!”
The White House has confirmed Trump’s intention to engage in unprecedented direct talks with the militant organisation, marking a significant shift from the longstanding US policy of avoiding direct contact with Hamas, reports
This first known attempt at direct dialogue since Hamas was labelled a foreign terrorist organisation by the State Department in 1997 comes after if hostages were not returned.
Despite the fragility of the -Hamas ceasefire, the President has given the green light for his representatives to “talk to anyone” to impede Hamas actions.
It is believed that there are 24 living hostages, including American citizen Edan Alexander, as well as the remains of at least 35 others still held in Gaza.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister disclosed: ” has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.”
Relatives of Israeli hostages gather at Begin Street to stage a protest demanding the start of the second round of hostage swap (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Adam Boehler, President Trump’s choice for special envoy for hostage affairs, spearheaded negotiations with Hamas.
Founder and CEO of Rubicon Founders, a healthcare investment company, Boehler was a principal negotiator for the Abraham Accords team, an initiative during Trump’s first term aimed at broadening ‘s recognition across the Arab states.
Discussions conducted last month mostly concentrated on freeing American captives and that would see Hamas relinquishing control in Gaza, disclosed a Hamas official who lacked authorisation for public remarks and requested anonymity. The official remarked that despite no substantial headway, “the step itself is promising” and anticipates further dialogue.
Both Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries played a role in facilitating these conversations.
In addition to the hostage crisis, as of March 4 2025, over 50,000 people have been killed in the Gaza war, most of them Palestinian civilians. According to the official figures of the Gaza Health Ministry, 48,405 Palestinians have been killed, along with 1,706 Israelis.
In addition, it is estimated that 166 journalists and media workers, 120 academics and over 224 humanitarian aid workers including 179 deployed by the UNRWA, have also been killed.