Relatives of Hamas hostages took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Thursday, demanding that US President Donald Trump not cooperate with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Relatives of the hostages accused the Israeli prime minister of being responsible for the deaths of the 37 captives.
Naama Weinbergwhose cousin Itay Svirsky died after 99 days in captivity in Gaza, says Netanyahu is "responsible for death and murder" 37 hostages.
Addressing Trump at the protest, Weinberg said: "Don't cooperate with Netanyahu. Don't be the one who abandons hostages. Don't be the one responsible for the deaths of those still living there."
But they want Trump to push Netanyahu to strike a deal to release all those who remain in captivity.
Trump threatens 'hell' if Hamas doesn't immediately release all hostages
Trump issued a "final warning" to Hamas and Gazans to release the remaining seven October hostages held in the strip. The White House confirmed that the US president had dispatched an envoy for unprecedented direct talks with Hamas over the remaining hostages.
"'Shalom Hamas' means hello and goodbye - you choose. Release all the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it's over for you. Only sick and twisted people keep the bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not one Hamas member will be safe unless you do as I say. I just met with your former hostages whose lives you destroyed. This is your last warning! It is now time for the leadership to leave Gaza while you still have a chance. And also to the people of Gaza: a beautiful future awaits you, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEATH! Make a smart decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!" Trump wrote in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform.
His post came hours after the White House confirmed that Trump had dispatched an envoy for unprecedented direct talks with Hamas.
Washington has avoided dealing directly with the militant group since 1997 as part of its long-standing policy of not dealing with entities that are listed as terrorist organisations in the US.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the US was engaged in "ongoing talks and discussions" with Hamas officials through Adam Boehler, Trump's nominee for the post of special envoy for hostage affairs.
She declined to outline the substance of the talks, but said Trump's decision to follow up with the group was in "the best interests of the American people". She noted that "American lives are at stake" - She was probably referring to the American citizen Edan Alexander, who is currently being held by Hamas.
The four other hostages, who are presumed dead, also have US citizenship.
Leavitt added that Israel was consulted prior to the meeting.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that direct talks have taken place between the US and Hamas. "Israel has expressed to the United States its position on direct talks with Hamas," Netanyahu's office said.
A Hamas official told the AP that the talks, which took place last month, focused on the release of hostages and the possibility of ending the war without Hamas ruling Gaza.
The official added that no progress had been made but that the US decision to hold talks was "promising" and that further negotiations were expected.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is currently uncertain. Israel has proposed that Hamas agree to a new plan, which it has described as being drawn up and supported by the US envoy Steve Witkoff.
On Thursday, Hamas brushed off Trump's comments and reiterated that it would only release the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has accused Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to pull out of the ceasefire agreement they struck in January. The deal calls for negotiations on a second phase in which hostages would be released in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
According to Israeli officials, some 24 hostages are still being held alive in Gaza and the bodies of at least 35 others.
Israel has halted imports of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies into the Gaza Strip as it seeks to pressure Hamas to accept an alternative ceasefire agreement and the release of Israeli hostages, after six weeks of truce.
euronews/ gnews.cz - RoZ
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