President Donald Trump issued a deadly serious “last warning” to Hamas on Wednesday, March 5, demanding the immediate release of all hostages still held in Gaza, accompanied by the return of the bodies of those killed.
This sharp message follows confirmation that the US has engaged in unprecedented direct talks with Hamas, a major shift in US policy, which traditionally refrains from direct contact with the militant group.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared, “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.”
He further stated, “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”
“‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose. 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! I am… pic.twitter.com/88EjVAyWAe
— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) March 5, 2025
The remarks came after Trump met with eight former hostages at the White House, emphasizing his resolve to bring all hostages home and continue supporting Israel.
“I’m sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job,” he added.
The White House confirmed that the US had sent an envoy to engage in talks with Hamas, marking the first known direct engagement since the State Department designated the group a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.
These talks occurred in Doha, Qatar, and were part of ongoing US efforts to secure the release of American hostages and work toward ending the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt underscored that these talks align with President Trump’s belief in speaking with anyone necessary to secure American interests, highlighting the urgency of resolving the hostage situation.
“There are American lives at stake,” Leavitt remarked, adding that Israel had been consulted on the talks.
Israeli officials confirmed that around 24 hostages, including American citizen Edan Alexander, along with the bodies of at least 35 others, are still held by Hamas.
While US officials engaged directly with Hamas, the Israeli government expressed its position on these talks but did not elaborate further.
Trump’s special envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, who previously played a role in the Abraham Accords negotiations, led these direct talks.
Although no substantial progress was made, a Hamas official described the engagement as promising and indicated that further discussions would take place.
As the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains fragile, Trump has signaled his full support for Israel’s efforts and its return to combat if Hamas does not meet the demands for hostages’ release.
Talks continue around a new ceasefire plan drafted by US envoy Steve Witkoff, which includes the release of half of Hamas’s remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire extension.
Trump also welcomed former hostages to the White House, where they expressed their gratitude for his efforts in securing their release and urged continued action to bring the remaining hostages home.
One of the former hostages, Keith Siegel, emphasized the trust in Trump and Witkoff, confident that the remaining hostages would be returned to their families.
The direct engagement between the US and Hamas is seen as a pivotal moment in US diplomacy, with the future of the ceasefire and hostages’ fate hanging in the balance.
Conclusion
The recent shift in US policy, with direct engagement between the US and Hamas, marks a critical moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
President Trump’s firm stance on the immediate release of hostages and the return of bodies underscores the urgency of resolving the situation and bringing American citizens home. As the talks continue and new ceasefire proposals emerge, the international community watches closely.
The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact both the future of the Israel-Hamas conflict and US foreign policy in the region.
This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.