Trump Threatens to 'Burnt to Earth' Gaza

Trump's threat was issued shortly after he delivered a speech before the U.S. Congress on Wednesday (5/3/2025). At that time, he stated his efforts to promote peace in the Middle East and expand the reach of countries signing the Abraham Accords, an agreement to normalize diplomatic relations between Arab nations and Israel.

"To the People of Gaza: A beautiful future awaits, but not if you take hostages. If you do, you DIE! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!" said Trump in his post on his Truth Social platform.

In his subsequent post, Trump emphasized that this warning was his final one. If they refuse, Hamas and all the people of Gaza will bear the consequences. "This is your final warning! To the leaders, now is the time to leave Gaza while you still have the chance," he wrote.

Trump's threat emerged not only after he delivered a speech expressing his desire to promote peace in the Middle East but also after Arab countries presented a new proposal for the reconstruction of Gaza. In this new proposal, Arab countries plan to establish an administrative committee responsible for the reconstruction of Gaza while also overseeing the distribution of humanitarian aid and the interim governance administration post-war.

This proposal is contrary to Trump's desire to evacuate Gaza, expel the Palestinian people from the area, and relocate them to several countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and even Indonesia.

In his threat, Trump stated that his remarks should not be taken lightly. Especially after Trump decided to revoke all decisions made during President Joe Biden's administration, which prohibited the shipment of various weapons and bombs to the Israeli military. Shortly after returning to power in the White House, Trump revoked that decision and gave the green light for the resumption of weapons and bomb shipments to the Israeli military.

"I sent Israel everything it needs to complete the task; no member of Hamas will be safe if you do not do what I say," he said.

However, Trump did not specify what actions he would take if Hamas did not comply with his demands.

Five Americans are believed to still be held hostage by Hamas since the October 7, 2023, attacks. Four of them have been confirmed dead and the other, Edan Alexander, is believed to be alive.

Along with the threats against Hamas and the Palestinian people in Gaza, the US administration is known to be holding secret talks with the group to seek the release of hostages. According to two sources, Trump sent the US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler to negotiate directly with Hamas officials. The talks are said to have been taking place for the past few weeks in Doha, Qatar.

The direct U.S. negotiations with Hamas, which remains on the U.S. government's terror list, were confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. She said Boehler had the authority to speak directly with Hamas and that the Israeli government had been consulted about the talks.

Asked whether the negotiations included Trump's desire to evacuate Gaza and take over the territory, Leavitt did not provide a clear answer. "These are ongoing talks and discussions. I'm not going to go into detail," he said. "There are American lives at stake."

Taher Al-Nono, a Hamas political adviser, told Reuters he had no information about the talks. "I have no information about meetings with American officials, but every meeting with the American administration is beneficial for the stability of the region," he said.

Reuters sources said the talks focused on U.S. efforts to free Alexander, the only surviving U.S. hostage, who appeared in a video released by Hamas in November 2024.

However, other sources said Boehler was also seeking a broader deal to release all remaining hostages and a long-term ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Hamas believes 59 hostages are still being held, half of whom have died.

Jonathan Panikoff, a former deputy U.S. national intelligence officer for the Middle East, said Trump’s unconventional diplomatic approach has its opportunities but also its risks.

"On the one hand, engaging Hamas directly could make it easier to release the U.S. hostages and help reach a long-term deal," said Panikoff, who now works as an analyst at the Atlantic Council, a think tank.

The U.S. direct engagement with Hamas comes as the continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains uncertain. Trump has signaled that he has no intention of pushing Netanyahu away from fighting if Hamas does not agree to the terms of a new ceasefire proposal, which Israel says was drafted by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.

The new plan calls for Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for an extension of the ceasefire, and to negotiate a long-term truce. Israel does not mention the release of more Palestinian prisoners, a key component of the first phase of the truce. (AP/AFP/Reuters)