President Donald Trump issued what he called a "final warning" to Hamas on Wednesday, urging them to release all hostages currently held in Gaza. This statement came shortly after the White House confirmed it had sent an envoy to hold unprecedented direct talks with the militant group.
In a strong message, Trump, after meeting at the White House with eight former hostages, stated that he was sending everything necessary to Israel so they could get the job done. "Release all the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all the bodies of the people you killed, or it's over for you," warned Trump. However, Israel did not mention the release of more Palestinian prisoners, a key element in this first phase.
In a meeting at the White House, Trump welcomed eight former hostages and expressed harsh criticism of Hamas for holding the bodies of the deceased. "Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!" declared the president.
Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, did not provide details about the discussions held but mentioned that President Trump had authorized his envoys to talk to any party. Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries have acted as mediators between Hamas, the United States, and Israel since Hamas launched its attack in October 2023, triggering a conflict.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefly acknowledged the discussions between the United States and Hamas, noting that Israel has communicated its position regarding those negotiations. Israeli officials estimate that at least 24 live hostages, including one U.S. citizen, remain in Gaza, along with the bodies of at least 35 more individuals.
Adam Boehler, appointed by Trump as special envoy for hostage affairs, led the direct talks with Hamas. These dialogues primarily focused on the release of American hostages and the possibility of ending the conflict without Hamas maintaining control in Gaza. The negotiations took place last month and centered around releasing the hostages in exchange for an extension of the ceasefire and the promise to negotiate a lasting truce.
