The US president warns Hamas that there is “hell to pay” if Israeli prisoners of Gaza are not released immediately.
WASHINGTON, DC — US President Donald Trump has posed a threat to Hamas and Gaza people as part of his demand to free all Israeli prisoners of war on their territory.
In a social media post Wednesday, Trump updated his warning that there is “hell to pay” if prisoners are not released.
“This is your last warning! For leadership, it’s time to leave Gaza, but you still have a chance,” Trump wrote.
“And also for the people of Gaza: a beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If so, you are dead! Make a wise decision.”
The president’s comments came hours after the White House confirmed Washington was in discussions with Hamas.
Trump has called for the forced movement of the entire population of Gaza and for the United States to “own” Palestinian territory.
It is unclear how Trump, a “beautiful future,” promised Gaza residents to fit into his ethnic cleansing plans. Trump previously said under his proposal, the Palestinians would not be able to return to their territory.
“‘Shalom Hamas’ means greetings and goodbye. You can choose. Release all the hostages now, not later, and soon return all the bodies of those you murdered, or it’s over for you,” Trump wrote.
“Only those who are sick and twisted will maintain their bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I’m sending Israel everything you need to finish work. If we don’t do as I said, Hamas members will not be safe.”
Over the years, Israel has maintained a practice known as necrotics to use hundreds of Palestinian bodies as negotiator tips.
Trump has issued similar threats in the past, but Hamas has argued that prisoners of war can only be released as part of a ceasefire agreement.
The first phase of the transaction ended last week, but Israel refused to advance to the next phase of the ceasefire.
Instead, Trump-backed government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to extend the first phase to release more prisoners of war without committing to a permanent ceasefire.
Israel also sealed Gaza and prevented entry to humanitarian aid such as food, fuel and medicine. This is a move that sparked protests from the United Nations and countries around the world.
Netanyahu is already facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court on alleged war crimes in Gaza, including the use of hunger as a weapon of war.
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