Hamas Accuses Trump’s Threats of Undermining Gaza Ceasefire, Signaling Support for Israel’s Stance
CAIRO, March 6 (Reuters) – Hamas, the governing body of the Gaza Strip, has issued a strong condemnation of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks regarding the ongoing conflict with Israel, alleging that his repeated threats against Palestinians serve as a tacit endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to renege on the Gaza ceasefire agreement and intensify the blockade of the coastal enclave.
The accusations stem from a social media post made by Trump on Wednesday, in which he vehemently demanded that Hamas immediately release all remaining hostages, including the remains of deceased captives, stating, "or it is OVER for you." This ultimatum was issued against the backdrop of reports revealing that a Trump envoy had engaged in secret talks with Hamas, a move that seemingly deviates from the long-standing U.S. policy of non-negotiation with the Islamist faction, which Washington designates as a terrorist organization.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua conveyed the group’s sentiments in a text message to Reuters, asserting that Trump’s repeated threats against the Palestinian people effectively provide support for Netanyahu’s attempts to evade the ceasefire agreement and further tighten the siege and starvation tactics imposed on Gaza’s residents.
Al-Qanoua emphasized that the most effective means of securing the release of the remaining Israeli prisoners lies in proceeding to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and compelling Israel to adhere to the terms outlined under the auspices of mediators.
The Gaza ceasefire deal, which came into effect in January, stipulates that the remaining hostages are to be released during a second phase, during which final plans for ending the war would be negotiated.
However, with the first phase of the ceasefire having concluded on Saturday, Israel has imposed a comprehensive blockade on all goods entering Gaza, demanding that Hamas release the remaining hostages without initiating negotiations to bring an end to the conflict. Palestinians have warned that the blockade could precipitate a humanitarian catastrophe, leading to widespread starvation among the 2.3 million people residing in the war-torn territory.
Trump’s latest threats were made following a White House meeting on Wednesday with a group of hostages who had been released during the initial phase of the ceasefire deal. In his social media post, Trump declared, "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." He also addressed the people of Gaza, stating, "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!"
Fighting in Gaza has been suspended since January 19, and Hamas has released 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. However, Israeli authorities estimate that fewer than half of the remaining 59 hostages are still alive.
The fragility of the ceasefire was underscored by reports from Palestinian health officials indicating that an Israeli airstrike killed one man in eastern Gaza City on Thursday. The Israeli military claimed that the strike targeted several suspects who were identified planting a bomb in the ground near where Israeli forces were operating.
According to Gaza health authorities, Israel’s military campaign in the enclave has resulted in the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians. The conflict was ignited by a Hamas-led raid on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
The article goes on to outline that Gazans have publicly criticized Trump’s remarks following a call last month for Palestinian residents to be resettled and the territory to be developed as a Middle East Riviera.
Ahmed, a resident of Khan Younis, stated that Trump’s efforts would be better spent spreading peace by exchanging hostages between the two parties, and not making threats to the people of Gaza.
According to Egyptian security officials, Egyptian and Qatari mediators attended talks between the Trump envoy and Hamas. U.S. hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has the authority to talk directly with Hamas, according to the White House.
Boehler and Hamas officials met in Doha in recent weeks, two sources briefed on the negotiations said.
Israel stated that they had nothing to add to the brief statement that was issued on Wednesday, which stated that they had expressed to the United States their position on direct talks with Hamas.
According to the Egyptian security officials who spoke to Reuters, Hamas had insisted during the talks on sticking to the original phased ceasefire agreement. Israel wants to prolong the ceasefire, securing the release of hostages but without reaching a final agreement with Hamas on ending the war.
Hamas wants to move to the second stage of the ceasefire where the sides would hash out an end to the fighting. Egypt stressed the need to uphold the ceasefire agreement till the end of the war, saying this would facilitate implementation of a Cairo reconstruction plan for Gaza that Arab leaders endorsed at a summit on Tuesday.
The Egyptian sources said talks ended in a positive spirit, indicating the sides may soon move towards negotiating the second phase of the deal.
