Hamas Claims Trump’s Rhetoric Bolsters Israeli Siege, Threatening Starvation for 2.3 Million Gazans
Hamas has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of supporting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in evading the terms of the Gaza ceasefire and intensifying the blockade of the Gaza Strip, which could lead to starvation for its 2.3 million residents.
In a statement reported by Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanou on Thursday, the Palestinian armed group asserted that Trump’s repeated threats against Hamas amount to backing for Netanyahu to bypass the ceasefire agreement and tighten the siege.
“Trump’s repeated threats against our people represent support to Netanyahu to evade the agreement and tighten the siege and starvation against our people,” al-Qanou said, according to Reuters.
He added, “The best way to release the remaining Israeli prisoners is by proceeding to the second phase of the agreement and compelling Israel to adhere to the terms signed under the sponsorship of mediators.”
Al-Qanou’s remarks followed a series of social media posts by Trump on Wednesday, in which the U.S. president demanded that Hamas “release all of the hostages now, not later,” including the remains of deceased captives, or face dire consequences.
“I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job. Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say,” Trump wrote. Addressing Gazans, he added, “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 posts came after a White House spokesperson confirmed that a U.S. envoy had engaged in direct talks with Hamas, marking a significant shift from the longstanding U.S. policy of not negotiating with the group, which Washington designates as a “terrorist” organization.
Egyptian security officials told Reuters on Thursday that the talks between the Trump envoy and Hamas were also attended by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which took effect in January, stipulates that the remaining captives held in Gaza be released during a second phase of the truce, during which final plans to end the war would be negotiated.
However, the first phase of the ceasefire ended on Saturday, and Israel has since imposed a complete blockade on goods entering Gaza, demanding that Hamas release the remaining captives without initiating further negotiations to end the war.
Palestinians have warned that the blockade could result in starvation for Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants, who are already struggling amidst the devastation of their territory.
Trump’s recent remarks, which included a call for Gazans to be resettled elsewhere and for Gaza to be developed into a “Middle East Riviera,” have drawn sharp criticism from residents of the besieged enclave.
“My house is gone, my work is gone, but I will not allow Trump to displace us,” said Mohamed Abou Azb, a resident of Khan Younis, in an interview with Al Jazeera. “We’re rooted in this land, rooted in Khan Younis, rooted in Gaza. Our life and death are here. We will not bow to the trivialities being said, and we will not leave Gaza.”
Abdallah Abu Rizk, another Khan Younis resident, echoed this sentiment, vowing that Palestinians would never abandon their land. “Over the years, we have remained steadfast in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem. We will remain until we die in our land.”
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