Trump's threats complicate Gaza ceasefire deal: Hamas

GAZA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Thursday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's recent threats against the group, saying they complicate matters regarding the Gaza ceasefire agreement and encourage Israel not to implement its terms.

"There is an agreement that was signed, and Washington was the mediator in it," Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement, adding that the deal "includes the release of all (hostages and) prisoners in three stages. Hamas has implemented what it was required to do in the first stage, while Israel is evading the second stage."

The statement noted that the U.S. administration is required to pressure Israel to enter negotiations on the second phase as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.

Trump issued what he called the "last warning" to Hamas on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, saying, "Release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you."

"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," he said in the post.

Trump's warning came after the White House confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. administration is having direct talks with Hamas aimed at releasing hostages being held in Gaza.

The talks, first reported by the American news website Axios, were held in Qatar's Doha in recent weeks, with the U.S. side led by presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that "Israel was consulted on this matter" but refused to disclose further information.

A Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, took effect on Jan. 19. During the initial 42-day phase of the deal, dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees were freed.

A total of 59 hostages are still in Hamas captivity, according to the Israel Defense Forces, which confirmed 35 of them are dead. Among those hostages, five are Americans, including just one who is believed to be alive.■