President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of American hostages held in Gaza. In an unprecedented move, the United States has engaged in secret talks with the Palestinian militant group to secure their freedom, sources revealed on Wednesday.
The discussions, led by U.S. hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler, break with decades of U.S. policy avoiding direct negotiations with organizations designated as terrorist groups. Boehler met with Hamas officials in Doha in recent weeks, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
At the White House, President Trump met with a group of hostages who had been recently released under a Gaza ceasefire deal. Following the meeting, he took to social media to issue a stern ultimatum to Hamas: “Release all of the hostages now, not later, including the remains of those who have died, or it is OVER for you.” He added, “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.”
The Palestinian Mujahideen group in Gaza condemned Trump’s statements, accusing his administration of partnering in “crimes of genocide against our people.” Israel has firmly denied any accusations of genocide. Hamas has not yet responded to the President’s warning.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Boehler “does have the authority” to hold direct talks with Hamas, describing the contacts as part of Trump’s “good faith effort to do what’s right for the American people.”
Israel, which considers Hamas a terrorist organization and refuses to negotiate directly with the group, acknowledged the U.S. initiative. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated, “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.”
Taher Al-Nono, a political adviser to Hamas, commented, “Any meeting with the American administration is beneficial for the stability of the region.” The secret discussions reportedly focus on securing the release of American hostages and potentially reaching a long-term truce.
Analysts suggest that Trump’s unconventional approach carries both opportunities and risks. Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. deputy national intelligence officer for the Middle East, noted, “Engaging Hamas directly could make it easier to get U.S. hostages out and help reach a long-term agreement. On the other hand, there’s a reason the U.S. doesn’t usually negotiate with terrorist groups; knowing Washington will do so incentivizes them to repeat the behavior in the future.”
This development marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. As tensions escalate, the world watches to see if these secret talks will lead to the safe return of hostages and pave the way for lasting peace in the region.
