If all hostages are released, US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Gaza further on Wednesday and gave Hamas leaders an ultimatum to flee.
Meanwhile, the United States confirmed unheard indirect discussions with Hamas, a group it describes as a “terrorist,” that focused on American hostages in Gaza.
Trump, who has a strong support for Israel amid the ceasefire, said he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job” as his administration increases weapons purchases by billions.
After meeting freed hostages, he wrote on his Truth Social platform, “Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered.”
Your final warning, please! Now is the best time to leave Gaza, according to the leadership, while you still have a chance.
Trump also expressed concern for Gaza’s entire population, which has been displaced by Israel’s relentless military campaign in response to Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023.
“To the People of Gaza, Hostages are not what you’ll get, but a beautiful future awaits.” You are DEAD if you do, “”!
His remarks follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning that Hamas’ actions could lead to “consequences that you cannot imagine” if the country does not release the hostages who have been taken hostage since October 7.
After six weeks of relative calm, which included hostage exchanges between Israeli prisoners and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, the first phase of a ceasefire came to an end over the weekend.
Hamas has urged a transition to the second phase, which should result in a lasting ceasefire, despite Israel’s claim that it wants to extend the first phase until mid-April.
Israel has increased its pressure by preventing the flow of goods and supplies into Gaza in addition to using threats.
“Hamas has received a significant blow, but it hasn’t yet been defeated. Eyal Zamir, Israel’s new military chief, warned on Wednesday that the mission is not yet complete.
Additionally, on Wednesday, France, Britain, and Germany all criticized Israel’s “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in Gaza and demanded that it be made clear that it would not allow aid to be delivered without delay.
Israel’s restrictions on Gaza aid, according to South Africa, constituted a form of starvation.
“We don’t have enough drinking water. General water shortage is a problem that people complain about. Abu Hammam al-Hasanat, a 34-year-old resident of the Gaza Strip, told AFP: “We cannot get rid of the waste, which affects the groundwater.”
READ ALSO: Israelis Pay Respect As Senior Hostage Who Returned From Gaza Was Laid To Rest
talks with Hamas
Trump used hawkish language after the US confirmed unheard-of direct negotiations with Hamas and Adam Boehler, the US envoy for hostages, discussed American hostages.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, “the president believes that dialogue and talking to people around the world about what is best for the American people is what is right.”
Since recognizing the Palestinian militants as terrorists in 1997, the United States had stopped making direct contact with them. However, according to Leavitt, the hostage envoy “has the right to speak with anyone.”
Israel was formally consulted, according to both the White House and Netanyahu’s office.
Five Americans are reportedly still being held hostage, with four confirmed dead and one alleged alive, according to Edan Alexander.
1, 218 people died in the attack, the majority of them civilians, compared to the at least 48, 440 civilians killed by Israel’s military retaliation in Gaza, according to data from both sides.
58 of the 251 captives who were killed in Hamas’ attack are still there, including 34 who have been confirmed dead by the Israeli military.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Hamas to take seriously Trump’s threats of retaliation in an interview on Wednesday night.
As people discover all over the world, he doesn’t say or mean what he says. Rubio said that if he says he’ll do something, he will do it.
Concerns with the Arab plan
Trump’s proposal to retake control of the Gaza Strip and replace its citizens has received widespread condemnation from all over the world.
An alternative plan that would use a trust fund to pay for Gaza’s reconstruction has received the support of Arab leaders.
To combat Islamist Hamas, the Arab summit also demanded unified representation through the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The Arab leaders’ plan, according to Hugh Lovatt of the European Council on Foreign Relations, is “far more realistic than what the Trump administration is proposing.”
However, Ghassan Khatib, a former minister of the Palestinian Authority and political analyst, was skeptical.
“It makes no sense to expect Israel to abandon Trump’s strategy and follow the Arabs’ strategy. There isn’t a chance.
French diplomat Jay Dharmadhikari said the final plan should neither permit Hamas to continue rule nor eject Palestinians after a UN Security Council meeting on Gaza’s future.
We are clear that any plan must not include Hamas, must guarantee Israel’s security, and must not force Palestinians to flee Gaza, he said.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply