President Trump issues 'final warning' to Hamas

TASS reported on March 6 that US President Donald Trump had asked Hamas to immediately release all hostages the group was holding in the Gaza Strip and return the bodies of the deceased, calling it a "final warning".

"'Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye - You have a choice. Release all hostages now, not later, and immediately return all bodies of those you have murdered, or it is over for you," Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social. "I am sending Israel everything they need to complete the mission, not one member of Hamas will be safe unless you do as I say."

"This is your final warning! To the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have the chance. And to the people of Gaza: A great future awaits, but not if you continue to hold hostages. If you do, you will die! Make a wise decision. Release the hostages now, or you will pay a heavy price later!", Mr. Trump warned.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier confirmed that Washington was holding direct talks with Hamas.

In mid-January, Israel and Hamas reached a three-phase agreement brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to release hostages held in Gaza and declare a ceasefire in the area. The three-phase agreement took effect on January 19. The first 42-day phase of the ceasefire ended on March 1. All surviving Israeli hostages and the bodies of those killed handed over in the first phase have been returned to Israel. In return, Israel released more than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners.

On March 2, Israel suspended humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and closed all checkpoints, citing Hamas' refusal to accept US Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff's plan to continue ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.