Trump, after meeting with released hostages, gives Hamas 'final warning'
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump met with a group of released hostages at the White House. Following the meeting, he called on Palestinian militants to release the remaining captives or face elimination, according to The Times of Israel.
The released Israelis stood in a line before the president’s desk. During the brief meeting, several of them urged Trump to help secure the release of those still held captive by militants.
“You’ve been sent by god to release them. You can really help. You have the power to do it,” says Omer Shem Tov.
“You were our hope when we were there, and now you’re their hope,” says Naama Levy.
Trump asked the released hostages if they had thought they might not return from captivity before he became president. Several hostages replied, "No."
Levy noted that immediately after Trump’s election, "we heard that you want to do everything to make a deal as soon as possible," adding, "You gave us hope."
הנשיא טראמפ פגש את השורדים מהשבי בבית הלבן: pic.twitter.com/RppTHSOOgk
— יונה לייבזון yuna leibzon (@YunaLeibzon) March 5, 2025
Ultimatum to Hamas
Shortly after the meeting, Donald Trump took to his social media page on X, calling on Hamas terrorists to immediately release all hostages and return the bodies of all those they had killed. Otherwise, the US president threatened them with the end.
He noted, "I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job," and added, "not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say."
"I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance," Trump said.
The president also addressed the people of Gaza, urging them to release the hostages and emphasizing that if they fail to do so, they will face death.
Hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas
Since January 19, a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement has been in place between Israel and Hamas. Since then, the Islamists have been releasing living captives and returning the bodies of the deceased, while the Israeli government has been freeing Palestinian prisoners.
Several rounds of exchanges took place throughout February. However, on February 23, Israel suspended the process, accusing Hamas of violating the terms of the exchange.
On February 27, the Islamists handed over the bodies of four more deceased hostages to Israel and outlined conditions for the release of the remaining captives.
According to media reports, the US is secretly negotiating with Hamas for the release of American citizens held captive in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israel approved a plan to extend the ceasefire with Hamas, proposed by US Special Representative for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. Under the plan, Jerusalem was prepared to suspend hostilities during Ramadan (from February 28 to March 29) and Passover (April 12-19).
However, Hamas rejected the proposal. Following this, Israel halted the import of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
There is a risk of large-scale combat resuming in the region.
