Trump's 'last warning' to Hamas: 'Release all hostages now or...'

The move came just came just hours after the White House confirmed it was negotiating directly with the militant group.

US President Donald Trump issued what he said was a “last warning” to Hamas to release all of the hostages in Gaza immediately. The move came just came just hours after the White House confirmed it was negotiating directly with the militant group.

“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. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!” Trump said in a statement.

"'Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. 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. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am pic.twitter.com/88EjVAyWAe
President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) March 5, 2025

Trump said he would give Israel “everything it needs to finish the job” and that “not a single Hamas member will be safe” if the group does not comply with the orders of the US President.

“I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance. Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!” he added.

Notably, the United States has designated Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 1997, and as part of its policy, it does not engage in negotiations with these entities – though with the exception of the Taliban, with whom both the Obama and Trump administrations negotiated.

US Talks With Hamas

The White House confirmed on Wednesday that a US envoy spoke directly with Hamas to secure American hostages. “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” believes is right, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Earlier this week, Israel approved a US proposal to extend a truce temporarily during Ramadan and Passover in Gaza. However, Hamas has time and again rejected the extension of the first phase and insisted on moving to the second stage of the truce. Israel has demanded complete “de-militarisation” of Gaza before the second phase of the truce, involving the ‘exile’ of Hamas and the Palestinian Jihad, a demand Trump has endorsed.

Hamas still holds 59 hostages in Gaza after the return of four bodies last week. Of the 59, 24 are thought to be alive, according to Israeli authorities.

(With PTI inputs)