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| Trump issues 'last warning' to Hamas over Israeli hostage release | Trump issues 'last warning' to Hamas over Israeli hostage release |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| US President Donald Trump has issued what he called a "last warning" to Hamas to release the hostages being held in Gaza. | US President Donald Trump has issued what he called a "last warning" to Hamas to release the hostages being held in Gaza. |
| "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 said in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform. | "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 said in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform. |
| It comes just hours after the White House confirmed it is holding direct talks with Hamas over the hostages. | It comes just hours after the White House confirmed it is holding direct talks with Hamas over the hostages. |
| Washington has until now avoided direct engagement with the group, and there is a longstanding US policy against having direct contact with entities it lists as terrorist organisations. | Washington has until now avoided direct engagement with the group, and there is a longstanding US policy against having direct contact with entities it lists as terrorist organisations. |
| Gaza food prices spike after Israel halts aid deliveries | Gaza food prices spike after Israel halts aid deliveries |
| Stories of the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel | Stories of the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel |
| In his social media post, Trump said there would be "hell to pay" if the hostages were not released, while not specifying the nature of the support he was sending Israel. | In his social media post, Trump said there would be "hell to pay" if the hostages were not released, while not specifying the nature of the support he was sending Israel. |
| "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 added. | "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 added. |
| "For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance." | "For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance." |
| He also appeared to issue a wider threat: "Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!" | |
| It's not the first time Trump has threatened Hamas. In December, he said there would be "all hell to pay" if hostages were not released by the time he took office. | It's not the first time Trump has threatened Hamas. In December, he said there would be "all hell to pay" if hostages were not released by the time he took office. |
| The post came after Trump met with a group of hostages in the White House who had been recently released under the ceasefire. | The post came after Trump met with a group of hostages in the White House who had been recently released under the ceasefire. |
| Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the US has been negotiating directly with Hamas to try to secure the release of the hostages. | Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the US has been negotiating directly with Hamas to try to secure the release of the hostages. |
| Israel had been consulted prior to the talks, she added. | Israel had been consulted prior to the talks, she added. |
| President Trump believed in doing what was in the best interest of the American people, Leavitt told reporters. | President Trump believed in doing what was in the best interest of the American people, Leavitt told reporters. |
| The special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler's work was a "good faith effort to do what's right for the American people", she added. | The special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler's work was a "good faith effort to do what's right for the American people", she added. |
| "Two direct meetings" have taken place between Hamas and a US official, "preceded by several communications", a Palestinian source told the BBC. | "Two direct meetings" have taken place between Hamas and a US official, "preceded by several communications", a Palestinian source told the BBC. |
| Israel said there are still 59 hostages being held in Gaza, with up to 24 believed to be alive. US citizens are also among the captives. | Israel said there are still 59 hostages being held in Gaza, with up to 24 believed to be alive. US citizens are also among the captives. |
| News of the talks was first reported by Axios, which said the two sides were meeting in Qatar to discuss the release of US hostages as well as a wider deal to end the war. | News of the talks was first reported by Axios, which said the two sides were meeting in Qatar to discuss the release of US hostages as well as a wider deal to end the war. |
| Watch: White House press secretary confirms US in talks with Hamas over hostages | Watch: White House press secretary confirms US in talks with Hamas over hostages |
| A former US deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the Middle East said the US needs to be "more proactive" about getting its citizens back. | A former US deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the Middle East said the US needs to be "more proactive" about getting its citizens back. |
| Mick Mulroy, who is also an ex-CIA paramilitary officer, added that "it could complicate the Israelis' ability to get their citizens back if not tightly coordinated". | Mick Mulroy, who is also an ex-CIA paramilitary officer, added that "it could complicate the Israelis' ability to get their citizens back if not tightly coordinated". |
| Israel's prime minister's office said in a statement it has "expressed its position" regarding the direct talks, but did not provide any further information. | Israel's prime minister's office said in a statement it has "expressed its position" regarding the direct talks, but did not provide any further information. |
| According to reports, Boehler met with Hamas representatives in the Qatari capital, Doha, in recent weeks. | According to reports, Boehler met with Hamas representatives in the Qatari capital, Doha, in recent weeks. |
| Hamas has had a base in Doha since 2012, reportedly at the request of the Obama administration. | Hamas has had a base in Doha since 2012, reportedly at the request of the Obama administration. |
| The small but influential Gulf state is a key US ally in the region. It hosts a major American air base and has handled many delicate political negotiations, including with Iran, the Taliban and Russia. | The small but influential Gulf state is a key US ally in the region. It hosts a major American air base and has handled many delicate political negotiations, including with Iran, the Taliban and Russia. |
| Alongside the US and Egypt, Qatar has also played a major role in talks to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. | Alongside the US and Egypt, Qatar has also played a major role in talks to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. |
| Additional reporting by Bernd Debusmann | Additional reporting by Bernd Debusmann |
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