US President Donald Trump on March 5 warned Hamas – deemed a terrorist organization by the US and EU – that there would be “hell to pay” if it does not immediately release all hostages after the White House confirmed that it had conducted secret talks with the Iran-backed, Gaza-based extremist group.
The direct meeting represents a break in the long-stated US policy of not negotiating with groups it deems to be terrorist organizations, although Washington has in the past conducted such talks in secret.
Trump, meanwhile, met with a group of hostages who had been released by Hamas after months of captivity following the extremist group's bloody cross-border attack in Israel on October 7, 2023.
SEE ALSO: Egypt Developing Alternate Plan To Rebuild Gaza Without Forcing Out PopulationThe Hamas-led militants' attack on settlements in southern Israel killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, with 251 hostages being taken to Gaza.
Israel retaliated by launching a devastating war in the Palestinian enclave that has killed tens of thousands of people, according to local authorities, and displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
Trump on social media demanded that Hamas "release all of the hostages now, not later," including remains of dead hostages, "or it is OVER for you."
"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," he said.
"Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, 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!"
Trump did not indicate what action he might take if Hamas failed to release the hostages. He has proposed that the United States take over the Gaza Strip, relocate the population, and rebuild the enclave -- a plan that received heavy pushback from allies and adversaries alike.
When asked about the reports of direct talks with Hamas, the White House said hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has the authority to talk directly with the Islamist group.
“When it comes to the negotiations that you’re referring to, first of all, the special envoy who’s engaged in those negotiations does have the authority to talk to anyone,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, with providing details.
She said Trump believes that dialogue with "people around the world" is "what's right for the American people."
“Israel was consulted on this matter,” she added.
SEE ALSO: During Israel Visit, Rubio Says Hamas 'Must Be Eradicated' In GazaIn a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said: “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.” It was not more specific, but Israel itself refuses to negotiate directly with the group.
Two sources told Reuters that Boehler had met with Hamas representatives in Doha, Qatar, in recent weeks, although it was not stated who led the Hamas side.
Sources told news agencies that US negotiators are attempting to gain the release of Edan Alexander, who official say is likely the last living American hostage held by Hamas.
U.S. envoy Adam Boehler.
Israeli officials have said four other U.S. hostages died while under Hamas control.
Reuters quoted Taher Al-Nono, a Hamas political adviser, as saying: "I have no information about meetings with American officials, but any meeting with the American administration is beneficial for the stability of the region."
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Bloomberg News that “Hamas has fulfilled its obligations in the first phase, while Netanyahu’s government is avoiding entering negotiations for the second phase."
“The US administration must pressure the occupation to proceed with the second phase as stipulated in the [cease-fire] agreement.”
The first phase of a cease-fire on January 18 halted much of the fighting in Gaza, leading Hamas to exchange 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Israeli has said fewer than half of the remaining 59 hostages are likely to still be alive.
A second phase envisions the release of the final hostages and the prisoners held in Israel.