Trump threatens the « Gaza people », his team in contact with Hamas – Liberation

Yet another burst of threats and an unprecedented dialogue for 18 years. Donald Trump launched a evening on Wednesday March 5 « Last warning » in Hamas, enjoining him to release the hostages, otherwise THE « People of Gaza » risk « Death »,, The same day Washington confirmed that he had direct contact with the Palestinian Islamist movement.

“To the people of Gaza: a bright future awaits you, but not if you keep hostages. If you do, you are dead! Make a good decision « threatened the American president in a message on his Truth Social network. He said he sent again « In Israel everything he needs to finish the work » in Gaza, stressing that« No member of Hamas will be safe if you do not do what I say, » At a time when the truce in the Gaza Strip seems threatened. « It's now that must be leaving Gazaas long as you can do it again ”he added to the leaders of the Palestinian Islamist movement.

The head of American diplomacy, Marco Rubio, assured that the republican billionaire did not joke. « He doesn't say this kind of thing if he doesn't think them, as people can see it around the world. If he says he's going to do something, he's going to do it ”, He said on Fox News. « So they would do it to take it seriously, » He added for Hamas.

The Islamist movement reacted this Thursday morning, saying that Trump's threats were support for Netanyahu and his desire to withdraw from the ceasefire in Gaza. In a message sent to the Reuters agency, Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua, also said: « The best way to release the remaining Israeli prisoners is to pass the occupation to the second phase and to force it to join the agreement signed under the aegis of the mediators. »

The threats of the American president, who met eight hostages released from Gaza on Wednesday, occurred the day when the United States, as well as Hamas, confirmed to having had direct contacts. These unprecedented consultations break with a long-standing policy that the United States does not have direct talks with groups which they consider terrorists, which has been the case for Hamas since 1997.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the American special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, was « Committed to these negotiations, (and) has the authority to speak to anyone ». She refused to deliver details, arguing that « American lives were at stake »but assured that Israel had been « Consulted », which then confirmed the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu. For his part, an official of Hamas spoke of AFP, under the seal of anonymity, « Two direct meetings between Hamas and US officials in recent days in Doha ».

Meanwhile, the new Israeli Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, said on Wednesday that the mission of overcoming Hamas in Gaza was not « Not yet finished ». « Hamas has suffered a hard blow, but it is not yet defeated, » said Lieutenant-General Zamir, while Benyamin Netanyahu said he « Determined to (win) victory ».

Of the 251 people kidnapped on October 7, 58 are still detained in Gaza 34 of which were declared dead by the Israeli army. There are five American hostages held in Gaza, four of whom are confirmed dead and one would be alive.

Israel announced Sunday to suspend the entry of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, a blockade denounced Wednesday evening to the UN by France and four other countries, which urged it to allow entry « Unconditional and massive humanitarian aid »a point that « Is not negotiable ».

Updated at 10 am with the reaction of Hamas.