Hamas claims Donald Trump’s threats aim to help Netanyahu back out of Gaza ceasefire deal

Hamas accused US President Donald Trump on Thursday of using repeated threats against Palestinians to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in backing out of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and intensifying pressure on Gazans.
Trump on Wednesday issued a direct ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the release of all hostages, including the remains of those killed. “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 wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”

The remarks came shortly after Trump met with eight former hostages at the White House. The president described his demand as a “last warning” and confirmed that he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job.”
His statement followed reports that the White House had recently engaged in direct talks with Hamas, marking a departure from the long-standing US policy of not negotiating directly with the group. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that US officials had participated in discussions with Hamas representatives, facilitated by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
“Look, dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people is something that the president ... believes is a good-faith effort to do what’s right for the American people,” Leavitt said.
Netanyahu’s stance on US-Hamas talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office acknowledged the US-Hamas talks but did not provide further details. “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas,” his office said in a brief statement.
Israeli officials estimate that around 24 living hostages, including American citizen Edan Alexander, remain in Hamas custody, along with the bodies of at least 35 others.

A Hamas official, speaking anonymously, said that while the direct talks in Doha last month did not yield significant progress, they were “a promising step.” The discussions, led by Adam Boehler, Trump’s nominee for special envoy for hostage affairs, focused primarily on securing the release of American hostages and negotiating a potential end to the war without Hamas in power.
The ceasefire negotiations remain fragile, with Trump showing little intention of pressuring Netanyahu to hold back on military action if Hamas does not comply with the latest proposal. The plan, reportedly drafted by US envoy Steve Witkoff, calls for Hamas to release half of its remaining hostages in exchange for an extended ceasefire and further negotiations on a lasting truce. Unlike earlier agreements, Israel has not included the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the initial phase.
Trump’s White House meeting with former hostages, including Israeli-American Keith Siegel, underscored the administration’s push for their release. Siegel, freed last month as part of the ceasefire, praised Trump and his team’s efforts.
“We urged them to continue their enormous efforts. They have done so much. We trust them and we know they will get the job done to get all the rest of the 59 remaining hostages held in Gaza back to their families,” he said.
The US -Hamas talks were first reported by Axios on Wednesday.