President Donald J. Trump delivered a strong message to Hamas in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of all hostages.
Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, however, Israel estimates that only 22 remain alive. Among them, five are believed to be American citizens, including 21-year-old Edan Alexander, who is thought to still be alive.
“‘Shalom Hamas’ means both Hello and Goodbye—you decide,” Trump wrote, adding, “Release all hostages now, not later, and return the bodies of those you murdered immediately, or it’s OVER for you.”
“Only sick and twisted people hold onto bodies—and you are sick and twisted!” Trump added.
The post came just hours after the White House confirmed that the US had entered direct negotiations with Hamas, potentially bypassing Israel to secure the release of the remaining American hostages.
The United States officially designated Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 1997 and has historically maintained a policy of not negotiating with terrorist groups. Indeed, during a press briefing on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked why the US was engaging in direct negotiations with Hamas “for the first time ever.”
She responded: “When it comes to the negotiations that you’re referring to, first of all, the special envoy who’s engaged in those negotiations (hostage envoy Adam Boehler – DI) does have the authority to talk to anyone.”
Leavitt added, “Israel was consulted on this matter, and look, dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people is something that the president has proven is what he believes is a good faith effort to do what’s right for the American people.”
The Truth Social message also followed a White House meeting between President Trump and a group of hostages recently freed under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Trump reaffirmed his support for Israel and referenced a recent decision to allocate billions of dollars for additional arms sales to the country.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance,” he wrote, and counseled the terror group in a paragraph heavily sprinkled with caps: “Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
Trump’s fiery message came in response to growing pressure from international aid and human rights organizations, which called on Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza. This followed Israel’s decision to halt all aid deliveries to the enclave in an effort to pressure Hamas into accepting new terms for a ceasefire extension. Israel, for its part, indicated it was considering cutting off electricity to Gaza as part of its strategy.
