The Hamas terror group on Thursday dismissed President Donald Trump’s newest risk and refused to launch extra Israeli hostages and not using a everlasting ceasefire deal within the Gaza Strip.
Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua mentioned the “finest path to free the remaining Israeli hostages” is thru negotiations on a second part of the ceasefire settlement.
The primary part of the ceasefire, which lasted 42 days, ended on Saturday. A second part was supposed to start in early February, although solely restricted preparatory talks have been held up to now.
Hamas’ response comes after Trump met with eight former hostages in Washington and posted what he known as a “last warning” to Hamas on his Reality Social platform on Wednesday.
KAROLINE LEAVITT EXPLAINS US EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE WITH HAMAS TO FREE AMERICAN HOSTAGES
Demonstrators maintain photographs depicting the faces of Israeli hostages who’re being held within the Gaza Strip, throughout a protest demanding their launch from Hamas captivity, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photograph/Oded Balilty)
“‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hey and Goodbye – You possibly can select,” the president’s publish started. “Launch all the Hostages now, not later, and instantly return all the useless our bodies of the individuals you murdered, or it’s OVER for you.”
President Donald Trump speaks throughout a joint session of Congress on the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photograph/Ben Curtis)
Trump added that he’s “sending Israel everything it wants to complete the job,” and that “not a single Hamas member will probably be protected in the event you don’t do as I say.
“Additionally, to the Folks of Gaza: A lovely Future awaits, however not in the event you maintain Hostages,” the president wrote. “In the event you do, you might be DEAD! Make a SMART resolution. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
Hamas is believed to nonetheless have 24 residing hostages taken within the Oct. 7, 2023, assault that led to the continued conflict. It is usually holding the our bodies of 34 others who had been both killed within the preliminary assault or in captivity, in addition to the stays of a soldier killed within the 2014 conflict.
Destroyed buildings by Israeli bombardments within the northern Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photograph/Ariel Schalit)
Hamas terrorists killed some 1,200 individuals, principally civilians, within the Oct. 7 assault and took a complete of 251 individuals hostage. Most have been launched in ceasefire agreements or different preparations. Israeli forces have rescued eight residing hostages and recovered the our bodies of dozens extra.
Israel’s navy offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, principally ladies and youngsters, in line with Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which doesn’t say how lots of the useless had been militants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 fighters, with out offering proof.
Fox Information Digital’s Andrea Margolis and The Related Press contributed to this report.
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