Hamas dismissed President Donald Trump's latest threat on Thursday, reaffirming that it will only release the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, reports AP.
The group accused Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to back out of the ceasefire agreement made in January. This agreement involves negotiations for a second phase, which includes releasing the hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Trump issues 'last warning' to Hamas to release all remaining hostages
Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua stated that the "best path to free the remaining Israeli hostages" is through negotiations on this second phase, which were supposed to begin in February. However, only limited preparatory talks have occurred so far.
On Wednesday, Trump issued what he called a "last warning" to Hamas following a meeting with eight former hostages. The White House confirmed that it had held direct talks with Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist group by Israel and Western nations.
Trump posted on Truth Social: “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!” Both Israel and Hamas have a history of holding the remains of their enemies for potential exchange in hostage-prisoner deals.
Hamas is believed to still hold 24 living hostages from the October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war, including Israeli-American Edan Alexander. It is also holding the bodies of 34 others killed in the initial attack or in captivity, along with the remains of a soldier killed in the 2014 war.
In the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. That phase ended on Saturday.
Israel has backed a new U.S. plan for the second phase, which would see Hamas release half of the remaining hostages immediately, with the rest released when a permanent ceasefire is negotiated. Hamas has rejected the proposal, insisting on sticking with the January agreement.
Israel has cut off the supply of food, fuel, medicine, and other essentials to Gaza’s 2 million Palestinians to pressure Hamas into accepting the new terms, threatening “additional consequences” if Hamas does not resume releasing hostages.
It remains unclear if the U.S.-Hamas talks made any progress. The Trump administration has expressed full support for Israel’s primary war objectives: the return of all hostages and the elimination of Hamas, which could be incompatible.
The October 7 attack by Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and took 251 hostages, most of whom have been released through ceasefire agreements or other arrangements. Israeli forces have rescued eight living hostages and recovered the bodies of dozens more.
With the Gaza ceasefire in limbo, Israel tries to impose an alternative plan on Hamas
Israel’s military offensive has claimed the lives of over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. However. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 fighters, though without evidence.
The ongoing offensive has devastated Gaza, displacing most of its population. Hundreds of thousands of people now live in tents, schools-turned-shelters, or war-damaged buildings, and rely on international aid.