Washington, U.S. – President Donald Trump issued a stern ultimatum to Hamas on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of all remaining hostages in Gaza. His warning came shortly after the White House confirmed unprecedented direct talks between U.S. officials and the militant group.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump emphasized his unwavering support for Israel, stating: “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. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”
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Trump also reaffirmed his commitment to Israel, declaring, “I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job.”
U.S.-Hamas Talks Confirmed for the First Time
The White House confirmed Wednesday that U.S. officials have engaged in direct discussions with Hamas, marking a departure from Washington’s long-standing policy of avoiding direct engagement with the group, which the State Department has designated a foreign terrorist organization since 1997. The talks took place in Doha, Qatar, with Egyptian and Qatari mediators facilitating the negotiations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to provide specific details but stated that President Trump has authorized his envoys to engage with all necessary parties. “Dialogue and diplomacy are essential to serving the best interests of the American people,” she said.
Israel also acknowledged the discussions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stating, “Israel has expressed its position regarding direct talks with Hamas to the United States.”
Hostages Still Held in Gaza
Israeli officials estimate that Hamas is holding about 24 living hostages, including American citizen Edan Alexander, along with the bodies of at least 35 others.
Adam Boehler, Trump’s nominee for Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, led the U.S. delegation in the talks. Boehler, a former Abraham Accords negotiator, focused on securing the release of American hostages and the removal of Hamas from power in Gaza, according to a Hamas official who spoke anonymously.
While the talks did not yield immediate results, the Hamas official described the step as “promising,” indicating that further discussions are expected.
New Ceasefire Proposal in Limbo
The latest diplomatic efforts coincide with uncertainty over the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The new U.S.-drafted proposal, led by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, calls for Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for an extended ceasefire and negotiations on a long-term truce. However, unlike previous deals, the proposal does not include the release of Palestinian prisoners, a key Hamas demand.
Trump has signaled strong support for Netanyahu, making it clear that Israel has the green light to resume combat operations if Hamas rejects the deal.
Trump Meets Former Hostages at White House
On Wednesday, Trump hosted eight former hostages at the White House, including Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher, and Noa Argamani.
“The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories,” Leavitt said, adding that the former captives expressed gratitude for Trump’s commitment to securing the release of all remaining hostages.
Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American freed last month, said in a statement: “We urged them to continue their enormous efforts. We trust them and we know they will get the job done.”
Lawsuit Against White House Press Secretary
Meanwhile, Leavitt and two other administration officials are facing a lawsuit from The Associated Press (AP) over alleged violations of First and Fifth Amendment rights. The AP claims the White House is retaliating against the news agency for editorial decisions, while the administration contends that AP has failed to comply with an executive order requiring references to the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
As diplomatic efforts continue and tensions rise, the world watches closely to see whether Hamas will comply with Trump’s ultimatum or if Israel will return to full-scale military operations.
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