US President Donald Trump has demanded Hamas to immediately release all hostages held in Gaza in what he called his "last warning" to the proscribed terror group.
Trump urged Hamas's leadership to leave the heavily bombarded enclave, before appearing to suggest he would eviscerate remaining terrorists.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: "This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.
"Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"
Trump added: "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.
"Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! 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. I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed."
Trump's comments come after the White House confirmed the US is holding direct talks with Hamas over the remaining Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
Hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has the authority to talk directly with Hamas, the White House said when asked about the discussions.
The move runs against the longstanding policy which prohibits negotiating with Washington-designated terrorist organisations.
LATEST ON THE WAR IN GAZA:
A spokesman from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said: "Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas" without elaborating.
Israel said there are 59 hostages still being held in Gaza, with up to 24 believed to be alive. US citizens are also among the remaining captives.
Trump's "last warning" also comes as official inquiries have begun to examine the failures that allowed thousands of Hamas-led gunmen to storm Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip in the October 7 attacks that left 1,200 dead and 251 being taken hostage.
The Israeli campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 48,000 Palestinians, the Strip's Hamas-run Health Ministry has claimed.
The bombardment has also destroyed large swathes of the enclave, leaving most of the population sheltering in tents or bombed-out buildings.
Former US deputy national intelligence officer on the Middle East, Jonathan Panikoff, said Trump's brash diplomatic approach carries both risks and opportunities.
He said: "On one hand, engaging Hamas directly could make it easier to get US hostages out and help reach a long-term agreement.
"On the other, there’s a reason the US doesn’t usually negotiate with terrorist groups, knowing Washington will do so incentivizes them to repeat the behavior in the future."
Find Out More...
Trump urged Hamas's leadership to leave the heavily bombarded enclave, before appearing to suggest he would eviscerate remaining terrorists.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: "This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.
"Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"
Trump added: "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.
"Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! 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. I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed."
Trump's comments come after the White House confirmed the US is holding direct talks with Hamas over the remaining Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
Hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has the authority to talk directly with Hamas, the White House said when asked about the discussions.
The move runs against the longstanding policy which prohibits negotiating with Washington-designated terrorist organisations.
LATEST ON THE WAR IN GAZA:
- Trump shares bizarre Gaza AI video that sees President sunbathe by the pool alongside Netanyahu and 'trans Arab belly dancers' perform on the beach
- Trump says US will 'take over and own Gaza' - sending troops into territory 'if necessary' to turn it into 'Middle East Riviera'
- Israel plans to re-settle Gazans in territory controlled by Isis nearly 2,000 miles away as Trump vows to turn territory into 'Middle East Riviera'
A spokesman from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said: "Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas" without elaborating.
Israel said there are 59 hostages still being held in Gaza, with up to 24 believed to be alive. US citizens are also among the remaining captives.
Trump's "last warning" also comes as official inquiries have begun to examine the failures that allowed thousands of Hamas-led gunmen to storm Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip in the October 7 attacks that left 1,200 dead and 251 being taken hostage.
The Israeli campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 48,000 Palestinians, the Strip's Hamas-run Health Ministry has claimed.
The bombardment has also destroyed large swathes of the enclave, leaving most of the population sheltering in tents or bombed-out buildings.
Former US deputy national intelligence officer on the Middle East, Jonathan Panikoff, said Trump's brash diplomatic approach carries both risks and opportunities.
He said: "On one hand, engaging Hamas directly could make it easier to get US hostages out and help reach a long-term agreement.
"On the other, there’s a reason the US doesn’t usually negotiate with terrorist groups, knowing Washington will do so incentivizes them to repeat the behavior in the future."
Find Out More...