Hamas has accused US President Donald Trump of seeking to undermine the fragile pause in hostilities in Gaza with his latest intervention in the region: a new and fierce ultimatum telling the group to release all hostages. According to a statement released by Hamas on Thursday, Trump’s threats are seen as support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to back out of the ceasefire agreement. The militant Islamist organization believes these threats will only complicate matters and encourage Israel to avoid implementing its terms. Trump made the ultimatum via social media on Wednesday, ordering Hamas to “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.”
Fighting in Gaza halted on January 19 under a truce arranged with US support and Qatari and Egyptian mediators, under which Hamas has exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. However, the first phase of the ceasefire ended on Saturday and talks on the second phase stalled. Netanyahu’s position on the ceasefire has been questioned since the Israeli Prime Minister might see a permanent end to the conflict as a threat to his political power inside Israel.
The US has confirmed direct negotiations with Hamas, bypassing Israel in an effort to secure the release of US hostages still held by the group. In response, Trump referred to a recent decision to provide billions more in support for Israeli arms sales and stated, “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.”
To the people of Gaza, Trump warned that “a beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!” The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains critical with over 48,000 people, mostly civilians, reported killed and vast areas destroyed during the Israeli campaign. Israel has imposed a total blockade on all goods entering Gaza until Hamas releases the remaining hostages without starting negotiations to end the war.
Despite Hamas confirming the talks with the US, Israel’s consul general in New York, Ofir Akunis, has downplayed the contacts and pointed out that Trump is putting pressure on Hamas, instead of Israel. This engagement comes as the US has never before officially communicated with Hamas, which it designated as a terrorist organization in 1997.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/06/hamas-trump-threats-encourage-israel-back-out-gaza-ceasefire
