Trump, in a statement on his Truth Social platform soon after meeting at the White House with eight former captives, added that he was ‘sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job’ [GETTY]
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday told the people of Gaza to give up captives or face “HELL” and told the Hamas group’s leadership to flee the territory.
“To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
In the same post, the president also issued what he called a “last warning” to Hamas to release all remaining captives held in Gaza.
Trump, soon after meeting at the White House with eight former captives, added that he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job”.
“This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance,” he posted. “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.”
“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 added. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”
His comments follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning of “consequences that you cannot imagine” if Hamas does not hand over remaining captives seized in the 7 October attack.
The pointed language from Trump came after the White House said on Wednesday that US officials have engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials, stepping away from a long-held US policy of not directly engaging in the militant group.
