The White House confirmed Trump had dispatched an envoy for unprecedented direct talks with Hamas over the remaining hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
US President Donald Trump issued on Wednesday what he called a “last warning” to Hamas to release the Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
“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,” Trump wrote in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform.
His post comes hours after the White House confirmed Trump had dispatched an envoy for unprecedented direct talks with Hamas.
Washington has avoided direct engagement with the militant group since 1997, as part of its longstanding policy not to engage with entities listed as terrorist organisations in the US.
In his post, Trump warned there would be “hell to pay” if the captives, which include 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others, were not released.
He also told civilians in the Strip: “Also, to the people of Gaza: a beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are dead.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the US had engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials via Adam Boehler, Trump’s nominee to be special envoy for hostage affairs.
She declined to outline the substance of the talks, but said that Trump’s decision to engage with the group was in the “best interest of the American people”. She noted that “American lives are at stake” — likely referring to US citizen Edan Alexander, who is currently held by Hamas.
Four other hostages — believed to be dead — also hold US citizenship.
Israel had been consulted before the talks, Leavitt added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office acknowledged that direct discussions between the US and Hamas had taken place. “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas,” Netanyahu’s office said.
A Hamas official told AP that the talks, which took place last month, focused on the release of hostages, and the potential to end the war without Hamas in power in Gaza.
The official added that no progress was made but that the US decision to hold the talks was “promising” and that more discussions are anticipated.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is currently uncertain. Israel has suggested that Hamas should agree to a new plan they have billed as being drafted and backed by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
Under the plan, Hamas would release half of its remaining hostages in exchange for a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. The ceasefire’s first phase would be extended until mid-April.
Hamas has previously said that negotiations on the ceasefire’s second phase should begin immediately and criticised Israel’s decision to block aid and food supplies from entering the Gaza Strip.
