CAIRO — Hamas dismissed President Trump’s recent warning, insisting they will only release the remaining Israeli hostages if a lasting ceasefire is implemented in Gaza.
Hamas accused Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of attempting to renege on the January ceasefire agreement. This agreement stipulated negotiations for a second phase involving the release of hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua stated that negotiations on this second phase, originally scheduled to begin in early February, are the “best path to free the remaining Israeli hostages.” He noted that only limited preliminary discussions have taken place.
On Wednesday, Trump issued what he called a “last warning” to Hamas after meeting with former hostages. Simultaneously, the White House confirmed unprecedented direct talks with Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by Israel and Western nations.
“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 posted on his Truth Social platform. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”
Both Israel and Hamas have a history of retaining the remains of adversaries for exchange in hostage-prisoner deals.
Hamas is believed to still hold 24 living hostages from the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that initiated the war, including Israeli-American Edan Alexander. They also hold the remains of 34 others killed in the attack or captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in the 2014 war.
During the initial 42-day ceasefire phase, which concluded on Saturday, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel supports a new U.S. plan for the second phase, where Hamas would immediately release half of the remaining hostages and the rest upon negotiation of a permanent ceasefire. Hamas has rejected this proposal, affirming its commitment to the original January agreement.
Israel has cut off the supply of food, fuel, medicine, and other essentials to Gaza’s approximately 2 million Palestinians, aiming to pressure Hamas into accepting the new arrangement. They have warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas doesn’t resume hostage releases.
The progress of the U.S.-Hamas talks remains unclear. The Trump administration has pledged full support for Israel’s objectives of securing the release of all hostages and eliminating Hamas, goals that might be incompatible.
In the Oct. 7 attack, Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and took 251 hostages. Most have been released through ceasefires or other agreements. Israeli forces have rescued eight living hostages and recovered the remains of numerous others.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military offensive has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily women and children, although the ministry doesn’t specify how many were militants. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 fighters, but has not provided evidence.
The offensive has caused extensive destruction in Gaza and displaced most of its population. Hundreds of thousands now reside in tents, repurposed schools, or damaged buildings, relying on international aid.
“`
