President Trump says negotiations are underway with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages, warning the terror group it will face dire consequences if it refuses.
US President Donald Trump confirmed Friday that negotiations are underway with Hamas to secure the release of Israeli hostages, issuing a stark warning to the terror group: release them all or face severe consequences.
“We’re in very deep negotiation with Hamas,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We said, ‘Let them all out. Right now, let them all out.’ And much better things will happen for them. But if you don’t let them all out, it’s going to be a tough situation. It’s going to be nasty. That’s my opinion.”
The President also suggested that some of the roughly 20 hostages believed to still be alive may have recently died. “That’s what I heard. I hope I’m wrong,” he said.
Earlier this week, Trump demanded in a Truth Social post that Hamas release all 20 living hostages in a single wave, vowing that the war would end immediately if it did. “Tell Hamas to immediately give back all 20 Hostages (Not two or five or seven!), and things will change rapidly. It will end!” he wrote.
The Hostages Families Forum welcomed Trump’s focus but stressed that all 48 hostages — living and deceased — must be returned. “President Trump, uphold your promise… bring all 48 hostages home and end this war. The living and deceased have all run out of time. This is your moment to fulfill your most sacred promise,” the forum declared.
Trump’s Special Envoy for Hostage Response, Adam Boehler, amplified the warning, posting on X: “Hamas best pay attention to @realDonaldTrump,” attaching a screenshot of Trump’s original post.
Hamas has claimed it is open to a “comprehensive deal” with Israel but has not withdrawn its previous preconditions — terms Israel has rejected outright.
