Hamas claims that Trump’s words assist Israel in further tightening the Gaza blockade, starving 2.3 million inhabitants.
Gaza besieged: US President Donald Trump’s frequent threats of destroying Hamas are an endorsement for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid adhering to the Gaza ceasefire agreement and expand the siege of the strip, the Palestinian militant faction claims.
Trump’s consistent threats against our people constitute support for Netanyahu to avoid the deal and narrow the blockade and hunger siege on our people,” Hamas official Abdel-Latif al-Qanou stated Thursday, the news agency Reuters reported.
The finest course to release the last Israeli captives is by … entering into the second stage and pressurizing it [Israel] into compliance with the deal that has been signed in the auspices of mediators,” he declared.
Al-Qanou’s remarks followed a barrage of tweets by Trump on Wednesday, calling on Hamas to “release all of the hostages now, not later,” including the bodies of deceased captives, “or it is OVER for you.
“I am sending Israel everything it needs to complete the task, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t comply,” he said. “Also, to the People of Gaza: A lovely Future awaits, but not if you take Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART choice. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
The posts were transmitted following a White House official confirming that a US diplomat engaged in direct talks with Hamas. This action marked a shift away from a US policy of three decades not to negotiate with the group, which Washington deems a “terrorist” group.
Egyptian security officials confirmed to Reuters on Thursday that discussions between a Trump envoy and Hamas were also attended by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. The Israel-Hamas ceasefire that began in January provides for the release of the remaining prisoners in Gaza in a second stage of the truce when final arrangements would be made for the termination of the war.
The initial stage of the truce elapsed on Saturday, and Israel has now placed a blockade on all incoming goods into Gaza and demanded that Hamas free the remaining hostages without initiating the talks to put an end to the war. The Palestinians assert that the blockade was likely to bring starvation to the 2.3 million residents of Gaza’s ruins.
