Hamas said on Thursday that US President Trump’s repeated threats against Palestinians constituted support for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to back out of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and intensify the siege and starvation on Gazans.
Trump demanded on Wednesday that Hamas “release all of the hostages now, not later" including the remains of dead hostages, “or it is OVER for you.”
Strongly backing Israel as a ceasefire teeters, Trump said he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job” as his administration expedites billions of dollars in weapons.
“This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.”
Trump also made clear there would be repercussions for Gaza as a whole, where virtually the entire population has been displaced by Israel’s relentless military campaign in response to the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas.
“To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!”
His comments follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning of “consequences that you cannot imagine” if Hamas does not hand over the remaining hostages seized in the October 7 attack.
The first phase of a ceasefire ended over the weekend after six weeks of relative calm that included exchanges of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
While Israel has said it wants to extend the first phase until mid-April, Hamas has insisted on a transition to the second phase, which should lead to a permanent end to the war.
Israel has ramped up pressure not just with threats but also by halting the flow of goods and supplies into Gaza.
“Hamas has indeed suffered a severe blow, but it has not yet been defeated. The mission is not yet accomplished,” Israel’s new military chief Eyal Zamir warned Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday, France, Britain and Germany jointly called the humanitarian situation in Gaza “catastrophic,” and urged Israel to ensure the “unhindered” delivery of aid.
South Africa said Israel’s restriction of aid into Gaza amounted to using starvation as a weapon of war.
Agencies
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