Hamas says Trump’s threats encourage Israel to back out of Gaza ceasefire
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Hamas has accused  of seeking to undermine the shaky pause in hostilities in Gaza with his latest intervention in the region: a new and fierce ultimatum telling the group to release all hostages.

The militant Islamist organisation said Trump’s threats constituted support for attempts by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to back out of the ceasefire agreement.

"Its leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance. Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!"
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Trump reiterated his support for Israel and referred to a recent decision to provide billions more in support for Israeli arms sales. "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," Trump wrote.

"This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance. Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!"

Trump also made clear there could be repercussions for Gaza as a whole, where more than 48,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed and vast swathes of the territory laid waste during the 16-month Israeli offensive.

Since the end of the first phase of the ceasefire, Israel has imposed a total blockade on all goods entering Gaza, demanding Hamas release the remaining hostages without beginning negotiations to end the war.

Aid agencies say the humanitarian crisis in the territory remains acute, with needs barely met by the increased flow of aid in late January and last month.

Trump wrote: "To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"

Hamas has confirmed the talks with the US, saying there had been two direct meetings between US officials and Hamas in Doha, the Qatari capital, in recent days. White House officials have said Israel was consulted on the "ongoing … discussions" with Hamas.

Israel’s consul general in New York, Ofir Akunis, sought to downplay the contacts in an interview with Fox News. "There is a new attitude from the White House … against Hamas. They can talk with Hamas, that’s OK," he told the network.

Many analysts have warned that Netanyahu had little intention of maintaining the agreement because a definitive end to the conflict could threaten his hold on political power within Israel.

With Trump in the White House, Netanyahu and his close advisers may also believe they can secure better terms or even the release of more hostages without major concessions.

Gideon Saar, Israel’s foreign minister, has denied Israel breached the ceasefire deal by not advancing to stage two talks. He said there was "no automaticity" between the stages and accused Hamas of violating the agreement to allow aid into Gaza by seizing most of the supplies for its own benefit.
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