The president met with eight recently released individuals before sternly threatening Hamas leaders.
President Donald Trump issued a grave threat on March 5 to Hamas leaders, warning the terrorist organization to release all hostages or prepare for serious consequences.
“‘Shalom Hamas’ means hello and goodbye,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “You can choose. 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 called the group “sick and twisted” for keeping bodies of those who died in captivity after being taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack.
Hamas took more than 250 people as hostages during the attack, and 62 remain unaccounted for, according to the Israeli government.
Trump vowed to secure the release of all those still held by the terror group.
“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 wrote. “This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.”
The president urged Palestinians to reject Hamas leaders who he said are jeopardizing the public’s safety.
“Also, to the people of Gaza: A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages,” Trump wrote. “If you do, you are dead! Make a smart decision. Release the hostages now, or there will be hell to pay later!”
Before posting his intentions, the president met with recently released individuals who traveled to the White House to meet him.
“Today, President Trump took time to meet with eight of the released hostages from Gaza,” Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, said in a statement. “The president listened intently to their heartbreaking stories. The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to bring all of the hostages home.”
Earlier in the day, she said that a special U.S. envoy was negotiating with Hamas leadership to hasten the release of all hostages.
