President Trump met with eight released hostages from Gaza at the White House on Wednesday while giving Hamas a “last warning” about freeing the rest of the terrorists’ prisoners.
Mr. Trump met with Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher and Noa Argamani. He listened to their stories of imprisonment.
“The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories. The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to bring all of the hostages home,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X.
Mr. Siegel, an Israeli-American released last month as part of the ceasefire deal, said the eight decided to come to the White House to thank Mr. Trump and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and urge “them to continue their enormous efforts.”
“They have done so much,” Mr. Siegel said in a statement. “We trust them and we know they will get the job done to get all the rest of the 59 remaining hostages held in Gaza back to their families.”
In a Truth Social post, the president ordered Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
“‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye — You can choose. Release all of the Hostage now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” he wrote.
He added, “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! 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.”
This is Hamas’ “last warning,” he wrote. “For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance. Also, to the People of Gaza: 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!”
At her press briefing Wednesday, Ms. Leavitt said negotiations are ongoing with Hamas, adding, “Israel was consulted on this matter. Dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people is something that the president has proven, is what he believes is a good-faith effort to do what’s right for the American people.”
She said she wouldn’t discuss the content of the talks because “American lives are at stake.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.”
— This story was based in part on wire service reports.
