Any of you won't be safe if you don't do as I say” -Trump warns Hamas

United States President Donald Trump warned Hamas on Wednesday that he will face “severe consequences” unless he releases all hostages immediately.

Trump made this warning the same day the White House confirmed that Washington has held secret talks with Hamas the group declared terrorist organisations by the US and the European Union.

The meeting between them was held despite the US's recent policy of non-negotiable with groups that it describes as terrorist organisations, even though Washington has held such talks in the past in secret.

Meanwhile, Trump met with a group of hostages who were released from Hamas after spending months in captivity in Gaza, following the attack that the extremist Palestinian group carried out in Israel on October 7, 2023.

Hamas - led militants attacked settlements in southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and kidnapping them in another 251 Gaza.

Israel's revenge war has destroyed Gaza, killing tens of thousands of people, according to local authorities, and moving most of the 2.3 million inhabitants of the Palestinian enclave.

The Trump demanded that Hamas lose all hostages now, not later”, including the remains of dead hostages, adding that “otherwise this is the end for you”.

I am sending to Israel everything it needs to complete the job, and no Hamas member will be sure if you don't do as I tell you”, Trump wrote on the social networks.

Also, for Gaza people: A beautiful future awaits you, but not if you keep hostages. If you do, it's T Um... DEATH! Make a ZURCH decision. LIRON PENGES Now, you're gonna have to try to get over it!

Trump did not reveal what actions he could take if Hamas did not release the hostages.

He has proposed that the United States take control of the Gaza Strip, move the population, and rebuild the enclave. This plan has met with strong opposition from both allies and opponents.

Asked about reports on direct talks with Hamas, the White House said the envoy for hostage issues, Adam Behehler, has the authority to speak directly to the Islamist group.

When it comes to the negotiations you are talking about, first of all, the special envoy who is engaged in those negotiations has the authority to speak to anyone”, White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavet told reporters without giving any details.

She said Trump believes dialogue with “people around the world is the right thing for the American people”.

“Israel consulted on the matter”, she added.

In a communiqué, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah's office said: “Israel has expressed its position on direct talks with Hamas” to the United States. No more details, but Israel itself refuses to negotiate directly with the group.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasssem told Bloomberg News that “Hamas has fulfilled his obligations in the first phase, while Netanyah Government is avoiding starting talks for the second phase”.

The first phase of the ceasefire on January 18th halted most of the fighting in Gaza, pushing Hamas to swap 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai hostages with about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel has said less than half of the remaining 59 hostages are likely still alive.

The second phase envisions the release of remaining hostages and prisoners held in Israel. / REL/