Hamas condemns Trump's threats, says they help Israel evade commitments

Hamas has condemned US President Donald Trump’s recent threats regarding the release of Israeli captives, arguing that his remarks disrupt ceasefire negotiations and encourage Israel to avoid fulfilling its obligations under a mediated agreement.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem stated that the ceasefire agreement — brokered with US mediation — outlined a three-phase exchange of detainees. He emphasised: “Hamas has fully complied with the first phase, while Israel continues to evade its commitments in the second phase.”

Qassem urged Washington to pressure Israel to adhere to the terms of the agreement, warning that any failure to do so would undermine regional stability and prolong the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Trump, in a series of statements on his Truth Social platform, warned Hamas: “Shalom, Hamas, which 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.” He also told the Hamas leadership, “Now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.”

Reaffirming US support for Israel, Trump added: “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. […] Make a SMART decision—RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”

Addressing the people of Gaza, Trump stated: “A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD.”

Israel decided Sunday to halt aid shipments to Gaza, hours after the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas expired. The move put in play the policy of starvation which Israel first launched in October 2023 and which led to the death of dozens of Palestinian children.

The first six-week phase of the agreement, which took effect in mid-January, officially ended at midnight Saturday. It was due to be followed by a second phase in which more Israeli captives would be released in return for complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and an end to the war. Tel Aviv, however, seeks a return of its captives and to restart the bombing campaign on Gaza in order to appear far-right members of the coalition government.

Israel, however, has not agreed to move forward to the second phase of the deal to permanently end the war in Gaza, in which Tel Aviv has killed more than 48,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

READ: Trump tells Hamas, ‘Only sick, twisted people keep bodies,’ but what about Israel?