Aakhir Tak – In Shorts
- Hamas says Trump’s threats support Netanyahu in abandoning the Gaza ceasefire.
- Trump warned Hamas to release hostages or “there will be hell to pay later.”
- Hamas claims the best way to free Israeli prisoners is to move to the second phase.
- The US has engaged in direct talks with Hamas regarding hostages in Gaza.
- The Gaza ceasefire deal, effective since January, included hostage releases.
Aakhir Tak – In Depth
Hamas has stated that US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats against Palestinians constitute support for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to back out of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and intensify the siege and starvation on Gazans. This statement follows remarks made by Donald Trump regarding Gaza. Hamas interprets Trump’s words as supportive of Netanyahu.
“The best track to release the remaining Israeli prisoners is by the occupation going into the second phase and compelling it to adhere to the agreement signed under the sponsorship of mediators,” Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua told Reuters in a text message.
This comes a day after Trump gave a “last warning” to Hamas, telling the Palestinian group to release the remaining hostages in Gaza or “there will be hell to pay later.” Trump’s reaction followed the White House confirmation that the US held direct talks with the group over the hostages held in the Palestinian enclave.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Hamas “sick and twisted” people for keeping the bodies of hostages and not releasing them. He also told the Hamas leadership to leave Gaza and that “a beautiful future awaits” for the people there.
The Gaza ceasefire deal, which came into effect in January, was negotiated with Trump’s envoy participating alongside envoys of the outgoing Biden administration. It calls for remaining hostages to be freed in a second phase, during which final plans would be negotiated for an end to the war.
US special envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler held direct talks with Hamas in recent weeks in Doha, a source said, confirming a report by Axios.
According to the source, the talks have focused on gaining the release of American hostages still held in Gaza, but also have included discussions about a broader deal to release all remaining hostages and how to reach a long-term truce.
Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff plans to return to the region in coming days to work out a way to either extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal or advance to the second phase, a State Department spokesperson said on Monday.
The ceasefire agreement, which came into being on January 19, halted 15 months of fighting, allowing the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. It was meant to lead to subsequent talks to build on the ceasefire deal. The agreement now faces uncertainty as Trump adopts a hard-line stance towards Hamas.
Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember
- Hamas asserts Trump’s threats help Netanyahu withdraw from the Gaza ceasefire.
- Trump warned Hamas of consequences if hostages aren’t released.
- Hamas says the best way to free Israelis is to proceed to the second phase.
- The US directly negotiated with Hamas concerning Gaza hostages.
- The Gaza ceasefire, initiated in January, involved hostage releases.
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