President Donald J. Trump delivered a strong message to Hamas in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of all hostages.
Hamas is still holding 59 hostages; however, Israel estimates that only 22 remain alive. Among them, five are believed to be American citizens, including 21-year-old Edan Alexander, a soldier taken hostage on Oct.7th.
“‘Shalom Hamas’ means both Hello and Goodbye—you decide,” Trump wrote, adding, “Release all hostages now, not later, and return the bodies of those you murdered immediately, or it’s OVER for you.”
“Only sick and twisted people hold onto bodies—and you are sick and twisted!” Trump added. I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say,” Trump wrote.
“This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance,” he wrote, and counseled the terror group in a paragraph heavily sprinkled with caps: “Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
Trump’s fiery message came in response to growing pressure from international aid and human rights organizations, which called on Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza. This followed Israel’s decision to halt all aid deliveries to the enclave in an effort to pressure Hamas into accepting new terms for a ceasefire extension. Israel, for its part, indicated it was considering cutting off electricity to Gaza as part of its strategy.
An ultimatum like this has never been delivered to Hamas before but deliver it President Trump did in his inimitable style. It almost sounds as if Trump is now in charge of ending the war and securing the release of all the hostages. He has a way with words, and it’s always intended to rattle the cage of those he does business with to get the best deal possible (especially for his interests). As a master deal maker, he succeeds time and again in getting what he aims for. This could be his toughest negotiation yet. We eagerly await to see what happens next.
While Trump sounds off, we’re sure the IDF under its new Chief of Staff is readying itself for an all-out plan to eliminate Hamas should they not heed Trump’s stern warning.
Source:
Trump Issues ‘Last Warning’ to Hamas, by David Israel/Jewish Press, March 6, 2025