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Trump issues “final warning” to Hamas: Release hostages or face destruction

By isabelle // 2025-03-06

• President Trump issued a final warning to Hamas, demanding the release of Israeli hostages and threatening annihilation if demands are not met.
• The U.S. has approved $12 billion in military aid to Israel, fueling criticism over enabling a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
• Hamas rejected Trump’s ultimatum, insisting on a permanent ceasefire and accusing Israel of violating the truce agreement.
• Over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israel’s military campaign, with Gaza facing a dire humanitarian crisis.
• Trump’s proposal to transform Gaza into a tourist destination has been widely condemned as insensitive and unrealistic.

President Donald Trump has issued what he calls a “final warning” to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Trump, who met with recently freed hostages in Washington on Wednesday, vowed to send Israel “everything it needs to finish the job” and warned that Hamas’ leadership would face annihilation if they fail to comply. The ultimatum comes as the U.S. engages in unprecedented direct talks with Hamas, a group it has long designated as a terrorist organization. Meanwhile, Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, continues to draw global condemnation, with critics accusing the U.S. of enabling what many describe as a genocide.

Trump’s ultimatum and U.S. support for Israel

Trump’s warning, posted on his Truth Social platform, was unequivocal: “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.” He added, “I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job"and that "not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.” The president’s rhetoric underscores his unwavering support for Israel’s military operations, which have devastated Gaza since the war began in October 2023. The U.S. has already approved nearly $12 billion in military aid to Israel, a move that has sparked outrage among Americans who oppose funding a campaign that has displaced millions and left Gaza in ruins. Trump’s promise to arm Israel further risks deepening the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where over 80% of the population relies on international aid to survive.

Hamas refuses to cave

Hamas, however, has dismissed Trump’s threats, insisting that the release of hostages is contingent on a permanent ceasefire and the implementation of the second phase of the truce agreement. “The best path to free the remaining Israeli hostages" is through negotiations, a Hamas spokesman said Thursday. The group has accused Israel of evading its obligations under the ceasefire deal, which expired last week, and has called on the U.S. to pressure Israel into honoring the agreement. The first phase of the ceasefire saw Hamas release 38 hostages in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. But talks for further swaps have stalled, with Israel blocking aid trucks from entering Gaza in an attempt to pressure Hamas. This move has drawn sharp criticism from international aid organizations, which warn that cutting off humanitarian supplies could lead to widespread starvation and disease. The war in Gaza has exacted a staggering toll, with over 48,000 Palestinians killed, the majority of whom are women and children. Israel claims it has killed 17,000 Hamas fighters, though it has provided no evidence to support this figure. The destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, coupled with the blockade on aid, has left the enclave in a state of despair. Trump’s vision of transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East” has been met with widespread ridicule and condemnation. His proposal to resettle Palestinians in neighboring Arab countries and redevelop Gaza as a tourist destination has been rejected by Arab nations and criticized as tone-deaf to the suffering of Gaza’s residents. Although the Trump administration’s direct talks with Hamas mark a significant shift in U.S. policy, his unwavering support for Israel’s military campaign raises troubling questions about America’s role in the ongoing humanitarian crisis. With Hamas refusing to cave and Israel continuing its offensive, the path to peace remains elusive. For the people of Gaza, caught in the crossfire, the promise of a “beautiful future” rings hollow amid the rubble and ruin of their homeland. Sources for this article include: RT.com USAToday.com CNN.com FoxNews.com

collapse national security terrorism Israel Trump tyranny Hamas chaos hostages ceasefire WWIII Gaza