Trump threatens Hamas with extinction – Diepresse.com
The statements of the US president « complicate » the ceasefire agreement with Israel, counters the Islamist Palestinian organization Trump only shortly after direct discussions between Hamas and the USA became known.
The Hamas criticized threats of US President Donald Trump against the Islamist Palestinian organization. The terrorist organization wrote on Thursday on its Telegram channel: « These threats complicate things with a view to the ceasefire agreement and encourage the occupying power (Israel) to withdraw their obligations. »
With an ultimate “last warning”, Trump had tried to further increase the pressure on Hamas. Hamas immediately had to release all Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip and also hand over all the bodies of the murdered Israelis, « or it's over for you, » Trump wrote on Wednesday (local time) on his Truth Social platform. “I send Israel everything it needs to finish the matter. Not a single Hamas member will be sure if you don't do what I say. «
Israel and Hamas disagree with extension via ceasefire
At the same time, the US government confirmed direct discussions with Hamas about the hostages. Earlier US governments officially avoided direct discussions with organizations that they classified as terroristically.
So far, Israel and Hamas have not been able to agree on the conditions of an extension of the ceasefire. According to Israeli information, the Islamist organization still has 24 hostages and 35 corpses of abducted violence. Five of them also have the American citizenship – only one of them, a young man, is still alive.
Hamas: USA would have to put pressure on Israel
In the communication of the Hamas it was said: « An agreement was signed, with Washington as an intermediary who provides for the release of all prisoners (hostages) in three phases. » Hamas adhered to its obligations in the first phase. In contrast, Israel eludes the commitments of the second phase. The United States would have to put pressure on Israel so that negotiations on the second phase could begin.
The second phase provides for the release of the hostages and a permanent end of the Gaza War. However, Israel continues to pursue the war goal of a complete destruction of Hamas and sees a continuation of Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip as unacceptable.
An extension of the first phase required by Israel with the release of further hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners rejects Hamas. Israel has emphasized that the war in the Gaza Strip will start again without releasing further hostages.
