Trump just threatened to kill everyone in Gaza

Former U.S. President Donald Trump made what is arguably his most shocking statement to date regarding Gaza on his social media platform, TruthSocial, on Wednesday. He threatened that all 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip would face death if the Qassam Brigades and other combat factions did not release the held Israeli hostages. This aggressive stance has ignited widespread controversy and heightened concerns about the already volatile situation in the region.

Trump wrote in his post: "'Shalom Hamas' means hello and goodbye - the choice is yours." He used the Hebrew greeting equivalent to the Arabic "Salam." He warned: "Release all of the hostages now, not later, and return the bodies of all those you have murdered now, or it’s over. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!" His strong language underscores the urgency and severity of his demands, adding pressure on Hamas to comply.

Trump stated that he is "sending to Israel everything necessary to get the job done." This comes after the Trump administration notified Congress of its approval to sell nearly $3 billion worth of weapons to Israel, including the 2,000-pound "bunker buster" bombs that the Biden administration had previously suspended. Trump threatened in his social media post: "If you don’t do what I say, no Hamas member will be safe. I just met with former hostages of yours whose lives you destroyed. This is your last warning!" This move signals a continued commitment to supporting Israel's military capabilities and a hard-line approach to dealing with Hamas.

Given that his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is due to return to the region in the coming days to discuss the status of a ceasefire agreement, the timeline of the "last warning" referred to by the president remains unclear. "To the people of Gaza: A wonderful future awaits you, but only if you do not hold hostages. If you do, you are doomed!" Trump wrote. The first phase ended on March 1, with Israel refusing to implement the second phase, which involved withdrawing its forces from Gaza. Instead, Israel is now demanding an extension of the first phase and the release of all hostages. Hamas has rejected this proposal, stating that only the second phase of the agreement can ensure the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinians held by Israel.

Trump not only threatened Hamas but also said, "To the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza while you still have a chance." He went on to threaten the lives of all 2 million residents of Gaza. "To the people of Gaza: A wonderful future awaits you, but only if you do not hold hostages. If you do, you are doomed! Make a wise decision. Release the hostages now, or there will be hell to pay later!" His dual message aims to pressure both the Hamas leadership and the Gazan population into complying with his demands.

Just hours before Trump made these shocking remarks to all civilians in Gaza, the Axios news website revealed that the United States has been engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas, an unprecedented move given that the organization has been designated as a terrorist group since 1997. White House Press Secretary confirmed to reporters on Wednesday that face-to-face talks had taken place in Doha, the capital of Qatar, and that these discussions were ongoing. They primarily focused on the release of Idan Alexander from New Jersey, believed to be the last American hostage held in Gaza. Previously, four other American hostages had been declared dead in absentia. Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a White House briefing that because "American lives are on the line," the president has demonstrated that "he believes it's a sincere effort to do what's in the best interest of the American people, to have conversations and talks with people all over the world to do what's in the best interest of the American people." She added that Israel had been consulted about the negotiations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that his government had "expressed its position regarding talks with Hamas" to Washington. He has made it clear that he is prepared to resume a full-scale war on Gaza if Hamas refuses to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement and has called up 400,000 reservists. Since the end of the first phase, Israel has reimposed a blockade on Gaza, preventing food, water, fuel, and medicine from entering the region. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have called this move a war crime. The escalating tensions and conflicting approaches highlight the complex and precarious nature of the situation in Gaza.