Hamas says Trump’s rhetoric helps Israel to tighten Gaza siege, risking hunger for two.3 million residents.
United States President Donald Trump’s repeated threats towards Hamas represent assist for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to evade the phrases of the Gaza ceasefire and intensify the siege of the strip, the Palestinian armed group says.
“Trump’s repeated threats towards our individuals symbolize assist to Netanyahu to evade the settlement and tightens the siege and hunger towards our individuals,” Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanou mentioned on Thursday, the Reuters information company reported.
“One of the best monitor to launch the remaining Israeli prisoners is by … going into the second part and compelling it [Israel] to stick to the settlement signed below the sponsorship of mediators,” he mentioned.
Al-Qanou’s feedback got here after Trump issued a flurry of social media posts on Wednesday, demanding Hamas “launch all the hostages now, not later,” together with the stays of useless captives, “or it’s OVER for you.”
“I’m sending Israel all the pieces it wants to complete the job, not a single Hamas member will likely be secure in case you don’t do as I say,” he mentioned. “Additionally, to the Individuals of Gaza: A good looking Future awaits, however not in case you maintain Hostages. In case you do, you’re DEAD! Make a SMART resolution. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”
The posts had been despatched after a White Home spokesperson confirmed {that a} US envoy held direct talks with Hamas, a transfer that signalled a departure from a decades-long US coverage of not negotiating with the group, which Washington considers a “terrorist” organisation.
Egyptian safety officers confirmed to Reuters on Thursday that talks between a Trump envoy and Hamas had been additionally attended by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which got here into impact in January, requires the remaining captives held in Gaza to be freed in a second part of the truce, throughout which ultimate plans can be negotiated for an finish to the battle.
The primary part of the ceasefire ended on Saturday, and Israel has since imposed a blockade on all items coming into Gaza, demanding that Hamas launch the remaining captives with out starting the negotiations to finish the battle.
Palestinians say the blockade may result in hunger among the many 2.3 million individuals residing in Gaza’s ruins.
Palestinians in Gaza criticised Trump’s newest remarks, which adopted his name for residents of the tiny coastal enclave to be resettled elsewhere and for the territory to be developed as a “Center East Riviera”.
“My home is gone, my work is gone, however I cannot permit Trump to displace us,” Mohamed Abou Azb, a resident of Khan Younis, advised Al Jazeera. “We’re rooted on this land, rooted in Khan Younis, rooted in Gaza. Our life and demise are right here. We won’t bow to the minutiae being mentioned, and we won’t depart Gaza.”
Abdallah Abu Rizk, additionally a resident of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, mentioned Palestinians would by no means depart. “Through the years, we’ve remained steadfast in Gaza, the occupied West Financial institution and East Jerusalem. We are going to stay till we die in our land.”
