Trump Issues Ultimatum to Hamas Over Hostage Release Amid Direct Talks

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump characterized the message as a “last warning,” stating, “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 declaration follows confirmation from the White House that the U.S. is engaging in direct negotiations with Hamas concerning the hostages. Despite a long-standing policy against direct engagement with recognized terrorist organizations, the Biden administration has initiated talks, which reportedly began as early as January.

Trump threatened further consequences if the hostages were not released, saying, “Release all of the hostages now, not later,” and urged Hamas leadership to vacate Gaza while they still had the chance. He went on to issue a grim warning to Gaza’s civilians: “A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!”

Trump’s comments come after a meeting with previously released hostages at the White House. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the negotiations, underscoring that the U.S. approaches the situation with the interests of American citizens in mind. She stated, “The special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler’s work was a good faith effort to do what’s right for the American people.”

According to a Palestinian source, two direct meetings have occurred between U.S. officials and Hamas, aimed at resolving the hostage situation. This source noted that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with up to 24 believed to be alive, including American citizens.

Mick Mulroy, a former U.S. deputy assistant Secretary of Defense, suggested that the U.S. must be more proactive in retrieving its citizens, adding that coordination with Israel is critical for successful outcomes. “If not tightly coordinated, it could complicate the Israelis’ ability to get their citizens back,” he said.

Amidst the ongoing negotiations, Israel is reportedly not in favor of the direct talks between the U.S. and Hamas, with its government stating it had previously consulted on the issues at hand. Nonetheless, the discussions mark a significant shift in U.S. policy since Hamas’ designation as a terrorist group in 1997.

Additionally, a Hamas official disclosed to NPR that the U.S. has engaged in talks about broader issues beyond hostages, although specifics were not provided. In response to the recent ceasefire agreement, both sides need to navigate complex dynamics that have seen Israel suspending humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.

White House officials have acknowledged the sensitive nature of the conversations, emphasizing American lives at stake. “These are ongoing talks and discussions, I’m not going to detail them here,” Leavitt remarked during a press briefing.

As the situation develops, the humanitarian plight in Gaza remains dire. France, the United Kingdom, and Germany have urged Israel to continue aid deliveries, warning that using humanitarian assistance as a political bargaining chip risks violating international law. “Humanitarian aid should never be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool,” they affirmed in a joint statement.