Trump points ‘final warning’ to Hamas to launch all remaining hostages

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued what he referred to as a “final warning” to Hamas to launch all remaining hostages held in Gaza, directing a sharply worded message after the White Home confirmed that he had just lately dispatched an envoy for unprecedented direct talks with the militant group.

Trump, in an announcement on his Reality Social platform quickly after assembly on the White Home with eight former hostages, added that he was “sending Israel every little thing it wants to complete the job.”

“Launch the entire Hostages now, not later, and instantly return the entire lifeless our bodies of the individuals you murdered, or it’s OVER for you,” Trump mentioned. “Solely sick and twisted individuals preserve our bodies, and you might be sick and twisted!”

The pointed language from Trump got here after the White Home mentioned Wednesday that U.S. officers have engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officers, stepping away from a long-held U.S. coverage of indirectly partaking within the militant group.

Affirmation of the talks within the Qatari capital of Doha come because the Israel-Hamas ceasefire stays within the stability. It’s the primary recognized direct engagement between the U.S. and Hamas for the reason that State Division designated the group a international terrorist group in 1997.

White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to supply element on the the substance of talks, however mentioned President Donald Trump has licensed his envoys to “discuss to anybody.” Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries have served as mediators with Hamas for the U.S. and Israel for the reason that group launched its Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel that sparked the struggle.

“Look, dialogue and speaking to individuals all over the world to do what’s in the most effective curiosity of the American individuals is one thing that the president … believes is a good-faith effort to do what’s proper for the American individuals,” she mentioned.

Leavitt added that Israel has been consulted concerning the direct engagement with Hamas officers, and famous that there are “American lives at stake.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace supplied a terse acknowledgement of the U.S.-Hamas talks. “Israel has expressed to america its place concerning direct talks with Hamas,” the prime minister’s workplace mentioned.

Israeli officers say about 24 residing hostages — together with Edan Alexander, an American citizen — in addition to the our bodies of not less than 35 others are believed to nonetheless be held in Gaza.

Adam Boehler, Trump’s nominee to be particular envoy for hostage affairs, led the direct talks with Hamas. Boehler, founder and CEO of Rubicon Founders, a healthcare funding agency, was a lead negotiator on the Abraham Accords staff throughout Trump’s first time period that strove to win broader recognition of Israel within the Arab world.

The talks, which passed off final month, targeted primarily on the discharge of American hostages, and a possible finish of the struggle with out Hamas in energy in Gaza, in keeping with a Hamas official who was not licensed to remark publicly and spoke on the situation of anonymity.

The official added that no progress was made however “the step itself is promising” and extra talks are anticipated. Egyptian and Qatari mediators helped organize the talks.

The direct engagement comes as continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire stays unsure. Trump has signaled that he has no intentions of pushing Netanyahu away from a return to fight if Hamas doesn’t comply with phrases of a brand new ceasefire proposal, which the Israelis have billed as being drafted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

The brand new plan would require Hamas to launch half its remaining hostages — the militant group’s foremost bargaining chip — in alternate for a ceasefire extension and a promise to barter an enduring truce. Israel made no point out of releasing extra Palestinian prisoners, a key part of the primary section.

Trump on Wednesday welcomed eight former hostages — Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher and Noa Argamani — to the White Home.

“The President listened intently to their heartbreaking tales,” Leavitt mentioned. “The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to carry the entire hostages house.”

The talks between U.S. and Hamas officers have been first reported earlier Wednesday by the information web site Axios.

Leavitt, the White Home press secretary, is one among three administration officers who face a lawsuit from The Related Press on First- and Fifth-Modification grounds. The AP says the three are punishing the information company for editorial selections they oppose. The White Home says the AP shouldn’t be following an government order to discuss with the Gulf of Mexico because the Gulf of America.

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Magdy reported from Cairo.