WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas, demanding the release of all hostages held in Gaza. This message followed the recent confirmation by the White House that an envoy was sent for direct talks with the militant group. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump’s remarks came after a meeting with eight former hostages at the White House. He asserted that Israel would receive full support from the U.S. in addressing the situation.
“Release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the deceased bodies or it is over for you,” Trump declared, expressing a strong condemnation of the group’s actions.
The president’s statement follows the White House confirmation that U.S. officials have been involved in ongoing discussions with Hamas, breaking a longstanding U.S. policy of avoiding direct engagement with the group. Talks occurred in Doha, Qatar, amid an uneasy Israel-Hamas ceasefire. This represents the first direct discourse between the U.S. and Hamas since the group was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department in 1997.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did not disclose specifics about the discussions but stated Trump has authorized his envoys to converse with important parties. Previously, Egyptian and Qatari mediators facilitated dialogues between the U.S., Israel, and Hamas following the group’s assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, igniting the conflict.
“Talking to global actors to prioritize American interests is a good-faith endeavor,” Leavitt mentioned, emphasizing the consultations with Israel about the U.S. engagement with Hamas due to “American lives at stake.” The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tersely acknowledged the dialogue without further elaboration.
Currently, Israeli authorities estimate that around 24 hostages, including American citizen Edan Alexander, and the remains of at least 35 individuals are detained in Gaza.
Adam Boehler, nominated by Trump as the special envoy for hostage affairs, led the discussions with Hamas. Boehler, known for his previous negotiating role in the Abraham Accords, focused on securing the hostages’ release and ending the war without Hamas retaining control over Gaza. A Hamas official, speaking anonymously, admitted the talks made no substantial progress but were seen as a promising start, with hopes for future dialogue. The arrangement of the meeting involved Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries.
With the future of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire still in question, Trump has indicated his support for Israeli actions if Hamas does not meet the terms of a new ceasefire proposal. The plan, attributed to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, requires Hamas to release half its remaining hostages in exchange for ceasefire prolongation and negotiations for a lasting truce. However, no concessions about releasing Palestinian prisoners were mentioned, unlike earlier stages.
President Trump hosted eight of the former hostages at the White House, acknowledging their painful experiences. “The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories,” Leavitt stated, highlighting the hostages’ gratitude for Trump’s steadfast commitment to securing their release.
The revelation of the direct discussions between the U.S. and Hamas surfaced earlier via a report on a news site. Additionally, Leavitt, among other administration officials, is currently embroiled in a lawsuit initiated by The Associated Press, who alleges punitive actions over its editorial choices, diverging from a White House executive order regarding geographical terminology.
