Washington, D.C.: President Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas, insisting on the immediate release of all hostages and the return of the deceased individuals they have "murdered," warning that failure to comply will result in severe consequences.
Trump emphasized that the United States is providing Israel with all necessary resources to complete its mission, stating that no member of Hamas will be safe if the hostages are not released. He urged Hamas leaders to evacuate Gaza while they still have the opportunity.
In a message posted on X, Trump remarked, "'Shalom Hamas' signifies both Hello and Goodbye - the choice is yours. Release all hostages immediately and return the bodies of those you have killed, or it will be OVER for you. Only depraved individuals keep the remains of their victims, and you are indeed depraved! I am equipping Israel with everything it needs to finish this fight; no Hamas member will be safe if you do not heed my warning."
He continued, "I have just met with your former hostages whose lives you have shattered. This is your final warning! For the leadership, now is the time to exit Gaza while you still can. To the people of Gaza: A promising future lies ahead, but not if you continue to hold hostages. If you do, you are sealing your fate! Make a wise choice. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES LATER!"
On March 5, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump had met with eight of the hostages released from Gaza, listening to their poignant accounts. The hostages included Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher, and Noa Argamani.
Today, President Trump met with eight of the hostages recently released from Gaza, taking the time to hear their poignant accounts. The hostages expressed their gratitude to President Trump for his unwavering commitment to securing the return of all hostages, as noted by Leavitt.
According to The New York Times, U.S. and Hamas officials convened in Qatar to discuss the situation of hostages in the Gaza Strip, as reported by two Israeli officials, a Western official, and a diplomat familiar with the discussions.
The diplomat revealed that Adam Boehler, Trump's nominee for special envoy for hostage affairs, was present at the meeting with Hamas officials this week. The four officials spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the diplomatic discussions.
The focus of the talks in Doha was on obtaining the release of Edan Alexander, the only Israeli American hostage believed to be alive, as well as the remains of four other Israeli Americans taken hostage during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, according to one Israeli official and the Western official, as reported by The New York Times.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that direct negotiations between the U.S. and Hamas were taking place. When questioned about the rationale behind these talks during a press briefing on Wednesday, Leavitt stated that Boehler, who is involved in the negotiations, has "the authority to talk to anyone."
Following the White House's confirmation of ongoing direct talks with Hamas, Israel communicated its position to the U.S. regarding these discussions, although further details were not disclosed, as reported by The Times of Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office indicated that Israel had expressed its views on direct negotiations with Hamas during its communications with the U.S.
