The United States and Hamas engage in direct dialogue on the hostages and the end of the war in Gaza
In a significant turn of events, the United States, which usually avoids direct contact with groups it has designated as terrorist organisations, has entered into negotiations with Hamas in Qatar to address the release of the hostages in Gaza, as well as the end of the war.
As reported by Axios, the talks were led by the US presidential envoy for hostage matters, Adam Boehler. White House envoy Steve Witkoff was also scheduled to participate, but cancelled his trip to Doha after seeing that there was no progress on the part of Hamas, a US official told the media.
These talks were confirmed by the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, who also pointed out that Washington had informed Israel about the dialogue with Hamas. According to Leavitt, President Donald Trump believes that ‘it is the right thing to do for the American people’, as ‘American lives are at stake’.
Among the remaining hostages are five Americans. Only Edan Alexander, 21, is believed to be alive. The Palestinian terrorist group also has in its possession the bodies of four other Israeli-Americans who were kidnapped and taken to Gaza in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
In total, 59 hostages are still being held in Gaza. The Israel Defence Forces have confirmed the deaths of 35 of them, while Israeli intelligence services believe that 22 are still alive, although the status of another two is unknown.
33 hostages were released during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in exchange for the release of almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and the entry of more humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, this 42-day truce expired last Saturday after the parties failed to reach an agreement to extend it.
Although the fighting has not resumed, Israel has completely blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza in order to put pressure on Hamas.
The Israeli authorities are demanding that the terrorist organisation accept an extension of the ceasefire agreement during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover, which ends in mid-April.
I would like to clarify something else: There will be no free lunches. If Hamas thinks that it will be possible to continue the ceasefire or benefit from the terms of the first stage, without us receiving hostages, it is sorely mistaken.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 2, 2025
For its part, Hamas has rejected the plan, as it is seeking negotiations that will lead to a permanent end to the fighting and the total withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
In the face of Hamas' refusal, Jerusalem warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas does not accept the proposal, stressing that “Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of the remaining hostages,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister's office.
Trump threatens Hamas: ’Release the hostages now or you will pay the price!’
While Israel tries to extend the agreement, Trump has once again issued an ultimatum to Hamas after meeting in the White House with eight hostages who were released and who were promised the release of the others.
‘Free the hostages now or they will pay the price!’ the US president wrote on his Truth Social platform.
"'Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am… pic.twitter.com/88EjVAyWAe
— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) March 5, 2025
‘Release all the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all the bodies of the people you murdered, or it's over for you,’ adds the president, who warns that this is “the last chance”. Trump has also assured that “not a single member of Hamas will be safe” if they disobey the order.
‘I will send Israel everything it needs to finish the job; not a single member of Hamas will be safe if you do not do as I say. I have just met with former hostages, whose lives you have destroyed. This is a final warning,’ he adds.
"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... RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!" –President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/l5k5GU8nEy
— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) March 5, 2025
The Republican has also addressed the people of Gaza, stating that ‘a bright future’ awaits them. ‘But not if you hold the hostages. If you do, you are dead,’ the message concludes.
