U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark “last warning” to Hamas on March 5, demanding the immediate release of all hostages in Gaza and the return of victims’ bodies, hours after the White House acknowledged direct negotiations with the militant group.
“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 Truth Social, shortly after meeting eight freed hostages at the White House. He vowed to provide Israel “everything it needs to finish the job” and warned, “Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”
The remarks came amid confirmed U.S. efforts to negotiate with Hamas—a group designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 1997—over hostages and a Gaza ceasefire, a departure from its longstanding policy of avoiding direct talks with such groups. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the move, stating that Trump’s hostage envoy, Adam Boehler, “has the authority to talk to anyone,” adding that Israel was consulted and dialogue serves “the best interest of the American people.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed it had “expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.” Meanwhile, Israel halted aid to Gaza to pressure Hamas into accepting ceasefire terms, drawing condemnation from international aid groups.
Trump addressed Gaza residents directly, writing, “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!” He previously called Gaza a “big real estate site” and proposed transforming it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The U.S. has historically avoided formal talks with designated terrorist groups, though exceptions like negotiations with the Taliban under Obama and Trump set precedents. Trump’s latest escalation underscores his hardline stance as humanitarian crises in Gaza intensify.
