President Donald Trump has posed a threat to Hamas and the Gaza people as part of his demand for the release of all Israeli prisoners to the territory.
In a social media post Wednesday, Trump updated his warning that there is “hell to pay” if prisoners are not released.
“This is your last warning! For leadership, it’s time to leave Gaza, but you still have a chance,” Trump wrote.
“And also for the people of Gaza: a beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If so, you are dead! Make a wise decision.”
The president’s comments came hours after the White House confirmed Washington was in discussions with Hamas.
Trump has called for the forced movement of the entire population of Gaza and for the United States to “own” Palestinian territory.
It is unclear how Trump, a “beautiful future,” promised Gaza residents to fit into his ethnic cleansing plans. Trump previously said under his proposal, the Palestinians would not be able to return to their territory.
“‘Shalom Hamas’ means greetings and goodbye. You can choose. Release all the hostages now, not later, and soon return all the bodies of those you murdered, or it’s over for you,” Trump wrote.
“Only those who are sick and twisted will maintain their bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I’m sending Israel everything you need to finish work. If we don’t do as I said, Hamas members will not be safe.”
Over the years, Israel has maintained a practice known as necrotics to use the remains of hundreds of Palestinians as negotiation tips.
Trump has issued similar threats in the past, but Hamas has argued that prisoners of war can only be released as part of a ceasefire agreement.
In response to Trump’s comments, Hamas said Thursday that the US president’s words urged Israel to ignore the conditions of its first ceasefire since January 19th.
“These threats complicate the issues regarding ceasefire agreements and encourage occupations to avoid implementing their conditions,” Hamas spokesman Haism Qasim said in a statement, urging the United States to put pressure on Israel to enter the second stage of the ceasefire.
The first phase of the transaction ended last week, but Israel refused to advance to the next phase of the ceasefire.
Instead, Trump-backed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to expand the first stage to free more prisoners of war without committing to a permanent ceasefire.
Israel has also blocked Gaza and prevented entry to humanitarian aid such as food, fuel and medicine. This is a move that led to protests from the United Nations and countries around the world.
Netanyahu is already facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court on alleged war crimes in Gaza, including the use of hunger as a weapon of war.
Source: Al Jazeera