- Trump warns Hamas to release hostages or face severe consequences.
- White House confirms direct talks with Hamas for the first time.
- U.S. and Qatar push for a broader deal to end the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a final ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza.
“I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job—no Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say,” Trump declared in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform.
His warning comes just hours after the White House confirmed it has engaged in direct talks with Hamas regarding the hostages. Until now, Washington has avoided direct negotiations with the group, in line with longstanding U.S. policy against engaging with entities designated as terrorist organisations.
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In his post, Trump warned of severe consequences if Hamas failed to comply, though he did not specify what additional support he was providing to Israel.
“Release all hostages now—not later—and immediately return the bodies of those you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” he wrote.
Addressing Hamas leaders, he added: “Now is the time to leave Gaza while you still have a chance.”
He also issued a stark message to Gaza’s civilians: “A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!”
This is not the first time Trump has threatened Hamas. In December, he vowed there would be “all hell to pay” if the hostages were not freed before his return to office.
Trump’s post followed a White House meeting with hostages recently released under a ceasefire agreement. Shortly after, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the U.S. has been in direct negotiations with Hamas in an effort to secure further releases.
“President Trump is acting in the best interest of the American people,” Leavitt told reporters, emphasising that special envoy Adam Boehler’s efforts were made “in good faith.”
A Palestinian source told the BBC that two face-to-face meetings have taken place between Hamas and a U.S. official, preceded by multiple communications.
Israel estimates that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with up to 24 believed to be alive. U.S. citizens are among those still held captive.
The negotiations, first reported by Axios, are reportedly taking place in Qatar, where U.S. officials are discussing not only the release of American hostages but also a broader effort to end the war.
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Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the Middle East Mick Mulroy stressed the importance of coordination, warning that U.S. involvement could “complicate Israel’s ability to recover its citizens if not tightly managed.”
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office confirmed it had expressed its stance on the talks but provided no further details.
According to reports, Boehler has recently met with Hamas representatives in Doha, where the group has maintained a presence since 2012. The Qatari government, a key U.S. ally, has frequently mediated sensitive negotiations, including those involving Iran, the Taliban, and Russia. Alongside the U.S. and Egypt, Qatar has played a crucial role in ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hamas.
