CAIRO – The militant group Hamas has dismissed President Donald Trump’s latest warning, reaffirming that it will only release the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas accused both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to renege on the January ceasefire agreement, which outlined negotiations for a second phase. This phase would involve hostage releases in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting truce, and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
According to Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua, the only way forward is through these negotiations, which have yet to progress beyond preparatory talks.
Trump’s ‘Final Warning’ to Hamas
On Wednesday, President Trump met with eight former hostages before issuing a forceful ultimatum to Hamas via 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.”
He also condemned Hamas for holding onto remains of hostages, calling it “sick and twisted”.
Hostage Standoff: The Numbers
- Hamas still holds 24 living Israeli hostages, including Israeli-American Edan Alexander.
- The group also possesses the bodies of 34 others, taken during the October 7, 2023, attack or killed in captivity.
- Additionally, Hamas has kept the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in 2014.
- In the first 42-day ceasefire phase, Hamas freed 25 hostages and returned eight bodies in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Ceasefire Deal in Jeopardy
Israel has expressed support for a revised U.S. proposal, which calls for half of the remaining hostages to be freed immediately, with the rest to follow once a permanent ceasefire is finalized.
However, Hamas has rejected this plan, instead insisting on the January agreement terms.
To pressure Hamas, Israel has cut off food, fuel, and medical supplies to Gaza’s 2 million residents, warning of further consequences if negotiations remain stalled.
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Ongoing War and Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing conflict has left Gaza in devastation:
- Over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
- Israel claims to have eliminated over 17,000 Hamas fighters, but has not provided evidence.
- Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians live in shelters or war-damaged buildings, dependent on international aid.
As tensions mount, the success or failure of U.S.-Hamas negotiations could determine the next phase of the war—whether a ceasefire is secured or the conflict escalates further.
