Israel Hamas threatens to kill hostages
Increased threats are making the ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist Hamas appear increasingly fragile.
07.03.2025, 06:25
SDA
Following US President Donald Trump's "final warning" to Hamas to release all hostages immediately, the terrorist organization is threatening to kill those taken hostage if fighting resumes. "Any escalation of aggression" against the Palestinian people will lead to the killing of a number of hostages, said Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida.
He hoped that the situation could be resolved through negotiations, said US special envoy Steve Witkoff. "If the dialog doesn't work, then the alternative for Hamas is not such a good alternative," he told reporters. Witkoff hinted at possible joint action by the US and Israel against Hamas if the terrorist group does not release all the hostages. "I think some measures will be taken," Witkoff said outside the White House. "That could be done together with the Israelis."
US envoy Witkoff hopes for a diplomatic solution
Hamas has the opportunity to "act reasonably, do the right thing and then leave", Witkoff added. The Islamist terrorist organization would no longer rule the Gaza Strip.
According to the Washington Post, several options were discussed during recent talks between US and Hamas representatives in Qatar, including a two-month extension of the ceasefire and a resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza in return for the release of live hostages. The US government has confirmed direct talks with Hamas over the hostages. Previous US administrations had always officially avoided direct talks with organizations they classified as terrorist.
Trump gave Hamas an ultimatum. The Islamist organization must immediately hand over all Israeli hostages and all bodies of kidnapped people "or it's over for you", the US President wrote on his Truth Social platform. "I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job. Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do what I say."
24 hostages still alive in Gaza
According to Israeli information, 24 living hostages and 35 bodies of abductees are still being held in the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli sources, one of the survivors is a young soldier who holds both Israeli and German citizenship. The relatives of the abductees fear that time will soon run out for the hostages who fear for their lives.
In order to exert pressure on the Islamist organization, Israel imposed a complete halt to aid deliveries to Gaza after the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas expired. This primarily affects the suffering Palestinian civilian population in the coastal region, which is suffering from severe war damage, poverty and food shortages.
Israel also threatens Hamas
Israel's government wants Hamas to agree to an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire - and is threatening to restart the war without releasing any more hostages. Hamas rejects an extension of the first phase of the agreement and wants to move on to the second phase, which envisages the end of the war and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.
German ambassador criticizes delivery stop
The German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, criticized Israel's halt to aid deliveries. "We are convinced that closing the border again for international humanitarian aid is not in line with Israel's obligations under international law," he told the Rheinische Post newspaper. He warned against equating the population of the coastal strip with Hamas.
"It cannot be right to make the suffering population of Gaza pay the price for Hamas' appalling crimes across the board," said Seibert. The terrorist organization is diverting part of the aid supplies and profiting from them. "Action must be taken against this - but the people need support."
