Hamas believed to have 24 living hostages taken in Oct 7, 2023, attack on Israel

 

After Trump threat, Hamas refuses to release more hostages without phase 2 ceasefire deal

The Hamas terror organization on Thursday rejected President Donald Trump's new warning and would not free additional Israeli hostages unless there was a permanent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua said the "best way to release the remaining Israeli hostages" is by negotiating on a second stage of the ceasefire accord.

The initial 42-day phase of the ceasefire expired on Saturday. An additional phase was to be launched in early February, although so far only limited preparatory negotiations have taken place.

Hamas' reaction follows Trump meeting eight former hostages in Washington and publishing what he termed a "last warning" to Hamas on his Truth Social website on Wednesday.

KAROLINE LEAVITT DESCRIBES US ATTEMPTS TO NEGOTIATE WITH HAMAS TO RELEASE AMERICAN HOSTAGES

Demonstrators hold photos depicting the faces of Israeli hostages who are being held in the Gaza Strip, during a protest demanding their release from Hamas captivity, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

"'Shalom Hamas' equals Hello and Farewell - You have a choice," the president's message started. "Free all of the Hostages at once, not later, and return all of the corpses of the individuals you killed immediately, or it is OVER for you."

President Donald Trump speaks during a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Trump further stated that he is "sending Israel everything it needs to complete the job," and that "not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do what I tell you.".

"Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages," the president wrote. "If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!"

ISRAEL AGREES TO TRUMP ENVOY'S TEMPORARY GAZA CEASEFIRE EXTENSION PROPOSAL AS FIRST PHASE EXPIRES: REPORTS

Hamas is said to still hold 24 living captives from the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that resulted in the current war. Hamas is also holding the remains of 34 others who were killed in the original attack or in captivity, as well as a soldier killed in the 2014 war.

Destroyed buildings by Israeli bombardments in the northern Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Hamas terrorists murdered about 1,200, primarily civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and held a total of 251 hostages. The majority of them have been freed in ceasefire deals or other plans. Israeli troops have freed eight surviving hostages in addition to retrieving dozens of bodies.

Israel's military campaign has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, Gaza's Health Ministry says, without indicating how many of the dead were militants. Israel claims to have killed more than 17,000 fighters, but it does not offer proof.