UJ
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US President Donald Trump issued what he deemed a “final warning” to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages in Gaza, shortly after the White House confirmed direct negotiations with the militant group.
“Return all hostages now, and return the bodies of those you murdered immediately, or it will be OVER for you,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday, shortly after a meeting with eight freed hostages at the White House.
Trump asserted he would provide Israel with “everything it needs to finish the job,” and warned that “Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t comply.”
These statements came just hours after the US confirmed that it was in direct negotiations with Hamas regarding hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza, marking a departure from its traditional stance of refraining from talking to groups it considers terrorist organizations. Axios was the first to report on the discussions.
The United States designated Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997 and typically avoids dialogue with terrorist organizations, although there have been exceptions; both the Obama and Trump administrations negotiated with the Taliban, designated a terrorist group after 9/11.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked on Wednesday about the rationale behind the US negotiating “directly and for the first time ever with Hamas.”
“In these negotiations you’re referencing, the special envoy involved does have the authority to communicate with anyone,” she stated, referring to Adam Boehler, Trump’s appointed hostage envoy.
“Israel was consulted on this situation, and the president is committed to engaging in dialogue globally to act in the best interest of the American people,” Leavitt added.
UJ has reached out to the National Security Council for additional comments.
The Prime Minister’s Office in Israel stated that it had “communicated its position to the United States regarding direct discussions with Hamas.”
The Israeli statement did not clarify whether Israel was informed in advance about the negotiations or learned about them afterward, nor did it specify Israel’s stance on the matter.
Earlier on Wednesday, a source informed UJ that Israel was aware of the ongoing talks.
UJ has reached out to Hamas for comments as well.
A senior Israeli diplomat seemed to reference the negotiations during an interview with Fox Business.
“Rather than pressuring Israel, President (Donald) Trump is applying pressure on Hamas, and this is the appropriate course of action,” said Ofir Akunis, Israel’s consul general in New York.
“If the White House intends to engage directly with Hamas to compel them to free more hostages, we would welcome seeing more hostages reunite with their families in Israel,” he added.
In his Truth Social comments, Trump also addressed the people of Gaza, stating, “a beautiful future lies ahead, but only if you do not hold hostages.”
“If you continue to do so, you are DEAD! Make a WISE choice. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR YOU WILL FACE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES LATER!” Trump stated.
Trump has indicated before that he views Gaza as a “significant real estate opportunity” and believes it could transform into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Hamas cautioned that Trump’s statements on Wednesday risk undermining the Gaza ceasefire and hostage agreement.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem informed UJ that the remarks would “complicate the situation concerning the ceasefire agreement” and encourage the Israeli government to refrain from implementing the deal.
Qassem asserted that Hamas had met its initial obligations under the US-backed agreement and that the Israeli government was “dodging negotiations for the second phase.”
He urged the US to pressure Israel into commencing the second phase, “as outlined in the agreement.”
On Sunday, just a day after the first phase expired, Israel halted humanitarian aid into Gaza, following Hamas’s rejection of a new Israeli proposal to continue the ceasefire without any commitment to conclude the war or fully withdraw troops.
