President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas. In a Truth Social post Wednesday, he demanded the terrorist group release all hostages immediately.
His post followed a meeting with several former Hamas hostages in Washington, D.C. The group included Eli Sharabi, Doron Steinbrecher, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Omer Shem Tov, Iair Horn, and Noa Argamani. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum confirmed their visit.
"‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose," Trump wrote. "Release all of the Hostages now, not later. Immediately return all the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you."
"Only sick and twisted people keep bodies," he continued. "And you are sick and twisted!"
Trump vowed full support for Israel. "I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job," he declared. "Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say."
He warned Hamas leadership to flee Gaza. "I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed," he wrote. "This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance."
Trump also addressed the people of Gaza. "A beautiful future awaits," he said. "But not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!"
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., strongly backed Trump’s message. "Free all the hostages or start killing Hamas members again. I fully agree with @POTUS," Fetterman posted on X.
Trump’s post came just hours after the White House faced tough questions. Fox News’ Peter Doocy pressed officials about negotiations with Hamas.
"If the U.S. has a long-standing policy that we do not negotiate with terrorists, then why is the U.S. now negotiating directly and for the first time ever with Hamas?" Doocy asked.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision. "The special envoy who's engaged in these negotiations does have the authority to talk to anyone," she responded.
Leavitt said Israel was "consulted on this matter." She added that Trump believes in "good-faith effort[s] to do what's right for the American people."
"These are ongoing talks and discussions," she said. "I'm not going to detail them here. There are American lives at stake."