US President Donald Trump has issued a “last warning” to the group after meeting with Israeli hostages freed from the captivity of Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.
“Shalom, Hamas” means “Hello” and “Goodbye” – you can choose. Release all hostages now, not later, and immediately return all the bodies of the people you killed, or it’s over for you. Only sick and twisted people keep the bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending Israel everything they need to finish the job, no Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do what I say,” Trump said in a posting on his Truth Social media account.
He added that now is the time for the “leadership” to leave the Gaza Strip, and promised civilians in the region a “beautiful future” if they do not hold hostages. “If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SUGGESTED decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR LATER YOU WILL PAY!,” the US president added.
Earlier, US media reported that US hostage release envoy Adam Bowler was holding secret direct talks with Hamas representatives. According to their reports, the two sides met in the Qatari capital Doha, with talks centred on the release of the last hostage with US citizenship believed to be alive, Edan Alexander. Reuters specified that a broader deal to release all hostages and ways to reach a long-term truce are also being discussed.
Negotiations on hostage release continue
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, when asked if this was inconsistent with the US position of not negotiating with “terrorist organisations” recognised by Washington, said Bowler “has the authority to talk to anyone, adding that Israel had been consulted on the matter.”
On March 2, the first phase of a Hamas-Israel truce deal to swap hostages for Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails expired. As part of the deal, 44 Israeli hostages held in Gaza and some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel were released. The Israeli side estimates that 59 people remain in captivity, of whom at least 32 are listed as dead.
Israel approved a proposal by US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff to continue the truce for the period of Ramadan (until March 29) and Pesach (April 12-19).
“Riviera of the Middle East”
Hamas did not accept the offer, advocating a move to the second phase of the agreement, which would involve a complete cessation of hostilities, a final withdrawal of the Israeli military from the Gaza Strip and the release of all remaining hostages.
Israel has blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Arab media also reported that the Israeli side is ready to resume hostilities in the Gaza Strip as a last resort if Hamas does not approve the extension of the first phase of the deal.
Trump proposed to relocate the population of the Gaza Strip to neighbouring Arab countries: they could allocate territories for the Palestinians, the development of which would be taken care of by richer Middle Eastern states. The US intends to gain control of the Gaza Strip, clear munitions, get rid of destroyed buildings and promote its economic development, he said, adding that the territory could eventually become “the Riviera of the Middle East.”
