Trump’s Ultimatum to Hamas: A Deep Dive into Hostage Negotiations and Gaza’s Future
Former President Donald Trump has ratcheted up the pressure on Hamas, issuing what he described as a final ultimatum to the Palestinian group responsible for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The move came amidst a complex backdrop of hostage negotiations, ceasefire talks, and differing visions for the future of the Gaza Strip.
Trump’s ultimatum, delivered through his Truth Social platform, was laced with strong language, accusing Hamas of being "sick and twisted" and demanding the immediate release of all remaining Israeli hostages. He declared "HELL TO PAY LATER," indicating a potential escalation of action if the demands were not met.
The ultimatum followed a meeting between Trump and eight recently released Israeli hostages in the Oval Office. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, described the meeting as "a really emotional experience" for the former president. The hostages reportedly told Trump that they believed he was "sent by God" to save them and those still held captive in Gaza.
Trump’s response was unequivocal. He recounted telling Hamas, "You better let us have those people back. You better let them out… And something happened," suggesting that his previous pressure had contributed to the release of the eight hostages. He further emphasized the need to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
Witkoff revealed that Trump was deeply angered by the conditions described by the former hostages, including deprivation and witnessing murders. "The President listened to it, absorbed it, and said this is unacceptable. I’m not going to tolerate this type of behavior," Witkoff stated.
The immediate consequences of Trump’s ultimatum remain uncertain. Witkoff hinted at potential action, possibly in conjunction with Israel. He also suggested that Hamas had an "opportunity to act reasonably, to do what’s right, and then to walk out" of Gaza and never return.
However, Hamas and certain Arab nations involved in the negotiations hold differing perspectives on halting the conflict. Trump, in his social media post, asserted that he was providing Israel with all necessary resources to "finish the job," warning Hamas that "not a single Hamas member will be safe" if they fail to comply.
During his time in office, the Trump Administration approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel, according to the State Department. Trump also repealed a Biden-era policy that imposed conditions on military assistance to Israel based on human rights concerns, a move criticized by those advocating for Palestinian rights.
The possibility of unilateral U.S. action, including military strikes, remains on the table. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the administration had engaged in direct talks with Hamas officials, potentially bypassing Israel in efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages. Israeli media reported that the Jerusalem government was "outraged" over this unilateral U.S. action.
Witkoff confirmed that Adam Boehler, a top U.S. hostage negotiator, had held "conversations" with Hamas representatives, conveying the U.S. desire to secure the release of all hostages, particularly those with American citizenship. He also highlighted the case of Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old from New Jersey believed to be the last living American hostage held in Gaza, emphasizing that he was "injured and so he’s a top priority for us."
Witkoff further stated that the Trump administration believed Hamas "has not been forthright with us." He emphasized that "all lives matter" to Trump and that he was focused on the well-being of all hostages.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Israel cut off humanitarian aid entering Gaza, effectively closing the last entry point for trucks carrying essential supplies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded the immediate release of the remaining hostages, even before the scheduled next round of negotiations.
Netanyahu also condemned Hamas’s "humiliating" hostage release ceremonies, which involved hostages being asked to kiss their captors and the public display of the bodies of two dead Israeli children.
Hamas responded by asserting that Trump’s threats encouraged Netanyahu to "evade" the ceasefire agreement and "tighten the siege and starvation against our people." Local authorities warned that if the flow of aid to Gaza remained blocked, current supplies would last only two weeks, with humanitarian organizations condemning Israel’s blockade as a violation of international law.
The initial phase of the ceasefire deal, which commenced on January 19, expired on Saturday. It stipulated a six-week pause in fighting and the release of 33 hostages by Hamas, in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
The subsequent phase aimed to secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages, in exchange for Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza. Netanyahu has proposed extending the initial phase by an additional 50 days to encompass the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover, to continue negotiations. Witkoff intends to return to the Middle East to potentially unveil a new plan for the ceasefire.
However, significant disparities remain between Hamas and Israel on critical issues, including Gaza’s postwar governance and the future role of Hamas.
During a joint press conference with Netanyahu in February, Trump unexpectedly proposed that the U.S. "take over" the Gaza Strip and relocate its remaining Palestinians to neighboring countries. He envisioned transforming Gaza into a "Riviera of the Middle East" while Gazans would be resettled in countries such as Egypt and Jordan. This proposal sparked widespread outrage across the region, particularly as the forced displacement of civilians during armed conflict constitutes a war crime.
Witkoff later clarified that recent negotiations had considered Gazans returning to their homes in five years, but he dismissed this as "a delusion," emphasizing the need for realistic assessments, including the potential for clearing and rebuilding the war-torn area to take 15 or more years.
Arab leaders have been formulating their own response, endorsing a plan to rebuild Gaza under a future Palestinian administration led by the Palestinian Authority (PA). Egypt presented a vision of this plan, featuring AI-generated images of housing developments, beach hotels, lush gardens, and infrastructure projects.
However, Israel opposes any role for the PA in governing Gaza, and both Israel and the U.S. have ruled out Hamas having any involvement in running Gaza.
Trump described Gaza as a "mess" with "big potential," stating that "it’s got to be run properly."
The situation remains highly volatile, with the future of Gaza and the fate of the remaining hostages hanging in the balance. Trump’s ultimatum has added another layer of complexity to an already intricate and emotionally charged situation.
