President Donald Trump warned Hamas there will be “hell to pay” if the militant group doesn’t immediately release its hostages in Gaza.
Trump issued the caution in a social media post Wednesday that followed a rare direct meeting between a US official and Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US and other nations.
“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 said.
The president, who met earlier in the day with freed hostages, said he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job” and warned that “not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.” He also encouraged the Hamas leadership to depart Gaza “while you still have the chance.”
“Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!” Trump wrote.
The message comes after Adam Boehler, nominated to be special presidential envoy for hostage affairs at the State Department, met with Hamas representatives in Doha, according to a person familiar with the situation.
“When it comes to the negotiations that you’re referring to, first of all, the special envoy who’s engaged in those negotiations does have the authority to talk to anyone,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday when asked about the reported talks. “Israel was consulted on this matter.”
The meeting, reported earlier by Axios, comes as Israel and Hamas explore extending their six-week ceasefire, which expired Sunday. Israel has warned it will return to fighting if Hamas doesn’t release the remaining hostages seized on Oct. 7, 2023.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
