President Donald Trump issued what he said would be his final warning to Hamas on Wednesday, saying “there will be hell to pay” unless they immediately release all remaining hostages.
Trump made the remarks after meeting with a group of hostages that had been recently released from Gaza after well over a year in captivity.
“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
“‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye — You can choose,” Trump posted in a message to the Islamic terrorist group. “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!” he continued. “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.”
Trump highlighted his meeting with the recently released hostages, saying that their lives have been “destroyed” because of the trauma they have experienced.
“This is your last warning!” Trump said. “For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance. 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,” he concluded. “RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
The statement comes after Axios reported earlier in the day that the administration has been holding direct talks with Hamas behind the scenes, the first time the U.S. has ever directly engaged with the terrorist organization, the report said.
The talks, which have taken place in recent weeks in Doha, are being led on the U.S. side by U.S. presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler.
“‘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
