Trump gives ultimatum to Hamas: Release hostages or face consequences

President Donald Trump has put out another dire threat to Hamas, after the White House confirmed direct talks with the group as part an of an effort to finally secure the release of American hostages and bodies of the deceased. 

‘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,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social site.

‘Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say. 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! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!’

Trump issued similar warnings last month, saying there would be ‘all hell’ to pay if the group, which the U.S. government classified as a terrorist organization, did not send home hostages. 

Trump’s angry threat came hours after a report that the administration was conducting secret talks with Hamas in an effort to release American hostages seized during the bloody October 7 terror attack on Israel. 

The White House said U.S. hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler had the authority to talk directly with Hamas, despite longstanding policy against negotiating with designated terrorist organizations. 

The two sides met in Doha, where prior cease fire and hostage talks had occurred, gut not directly between the parties. U.S. and Israeli negotiators had negotiated instead through third party Arab leaders. 

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed those talks when asked about them.

‘First of all, the special envoy who engaged in this negotiation does have the authority to talk to anyone. Israel was consulted on this matter. And look – dialog and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people, is something that the American people,’ she said. 

She wouldn’t answer directly when asked if the talks also related to Trump’s stated plan to rebuild and take over Gaza in a plan critics have called Gaza-lago.

‘These are ongoing talks and discussions. I’m not going to detail them here, that are American lines at stake.’

On February 11, Trump warned ‘all hell is going to break loose’ if the group did not release all remaining hostages that week. 

A few days later, Hamas released American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36 and two other hostages. 

Edan Alexander of Tenafly, New Jersey, is thought to be the last living American hostage, in an ordeal that has extended beyond 500 days. He appeared in a Hamas propaganda video in November 2024. Israel says four other American hostages died in captivity.

 Israel says 24 living hostages remain, along with the bodies of 35 others. 

The threats come days after Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked ’emergency authority’ to send an additional $4 billion in security assistance to Israel.

Trump also met with hostages released from captivity on Wednesday.

‘Today, President Trump took time to meet with eight of the released hostages from Gaza. The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories. The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to bring all of the hostages home,’ said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

They were Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher, and Noa Argamani.