In a bold statement on Thursday, the Hamas terror group dismissed former President Donald Trump’s latest warning, reiterating that the release of Israeli hostages hinges on establishing a permanent ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The remarks were made by Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua, who emphasized that negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire represent the most viable route for freeing the remaining Israeli hostages.

The Ceasefire Context

The initial ceasefire, which lasted 42 days, came to an end on Saturday. While discussions for a second phase were anticipated to commence in early February, limited preparatory talks have transpired thus far.

Hamas’ reaction to Trump’s comments followed a meeting he held with eight former hostages in Washington. Following the meeting, Trump issued a chilling “last warning” to the terror group via his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, intensifying the ongoing dialogue surrounding hostage situations and ceasefire efforts.

Trump’s Stern Message to Hamas

In his post, Trump asserted, “Shalom Hamas means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose.” He demanded the immediate release of all hostages and the return of deceased victims, stating sternly, “or it is OVER for you.” Trump pledged to “send Israel everything it needs” to proceed with operations against Hamas, making it clear that “not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”

Addressing the people of Gaza, Trump further declared, “A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”

The Hostage Crisis

At present, Hamas is believed to be retaining 24 living hostages who were abducted during its October 7, 2023 attack, an event that triggered the current conflict. The organization is also reported to possess the bodies of 34 victims, either killed during the assault or while in captivity, alongside the remains of a soldier slain during the 2014 conflict.

During the traumatic October 7 attack, Hamas militants reportedly claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians, and managed to seize a total of 251 hostages. Numerous hostages have since been released as a result of ceasefire agreements or rescue operations. Notably, Israeli forces have rescued eight living hostages and recovered numerous bodies.

Casualty Figures and Ongoing Conflict

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli military actions have resulted in more than 48,000 Palestinian deaths, a figure that allegedly includes a significant number of women and children. However, the ministry does not provide a clear distinction between civilian and militant casualties. In contrast, Israel claims to have neutralized over 17,000 Hamas fighters but has not furnished supporting evidence for this assertion.