Trump warns Gazans as US holds unprecedented talks with Hamas

The United States broke a long-standing diplomatic taboo by holding secret talks with Hamas on securing the release of US hostages held in Gaza, sources told Reuters on Wednesday, while US President Donald Trump warned of "hell to pay" should the Palestinian group not comply.

US hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler has the authority to talk directly with Hamas, the White House said when asked about the discussions, which broke with a decades-old policy against negotiating with groups that the US brands as terrorist organisations.

Boehler and Hamas officials met in Doha in recent weeks, two sources briefed on the negotiations said. It was not clear who represented Hamas.

At the White House, Trump met a group of hostages who had been released recently under a Gaza ceasefire deal, and he issued a stark new threat against Hamas in a social media post.

He demanded that Hamas "release all of the hostages now, not later," including the remains of dead hostages, "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. "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!"

Trump's warning echoed his "hell to pay" threat before his January 20 return to the White House, which was followed by the ceasefire and hostages deal in mid-January that he claimed credit for before then-President Joe Biden left office.

Once again, Trump did not specify exactly what action he might take if Hamas failed to comply.

The Palestinian Mujahideen military group in Gaza condemned Trump's warning, saying it demonstrated his administration's intention "to proceed as a partner in the crimes of genocide against our people.” Israel has denied accusations of genocide.

“Trump's threats today clearly reveal the ugly face of the United States of America and show its lack of seriousness and its renunciation of the agreement it mediated,” the group said.

Hamas has yet to comment on Trump's threats.

The US had long avoided direct engagement with the group, which carried out a cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering a devastating Gaza war that has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The US State Department designated Hamas a terrorist organization in 1997.

One of the sources said the effort includes an attempt to gain the release of Edan Alexander from Tenafly, New Jersey, believed to be the last living American hostage held by Hamas. He appeared in a video published by Hamas in November 2024.

Four other US hostages have been declared dead by Israeli authorities.

To date, the US role in helping to secure a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement has been dealing with Israel and Qatari and Egyptian mediators, but without any known direct communications between Washington and Hamas.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Boehler "does have the authority" to hold direct talks with Hamas.

She said Israel was consulted but did not indicate whether this was before or after the talks. She described the contacts as part of Trump's "good faith effort to do what's right for the American people."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement saying: “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas.” It did not elaborate but Israel, which along with many other countries considers Hamas a terrorist organisation, refuses to negotiate directly with the group.