President Trump issues 'final warning' to Hamas
"I am sending Israel everything they need to accomplish their mission; no member of Hamas will be safe unless they follow my orders," the US President declared.
TASS reported on March 6th that US President Donald Trump demanded that Hamas immediately release all hostages it is 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 the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all the bodies of those you killed, or it's over for you," Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social. "I am sending Israel everything they need to complete their mission, and no member of Hamas will be safe if you don't do as I say."
"This is your final warning! To the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance. To the people of Gaza: A bright 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!" Trump warned.
White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt previously 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 phase, lasting 42 days, ended on March 1. All surviving Israeli hostages and the bodies of those killed were returned to Israel during the first phase. 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's refusal to accept a plan by US President's Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff to resume ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
