Trump Issues Ultimatum to Hamas, Sparks Global Reactions

US President Donald Trump has raised eyebrows with his latest post on Truth Social and X/Twitter, delivering an ultimatum to Hamas following a meeting with six Israeli hostages recently released in Washington. Trump’s message, shared late Wednesday night, warned Hamas of dire consequences if the group's leadership did not leave Gaza immediately.

"This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance," Trump declared in his post. This strong stance on Hamas comes as part of his broader approach to address the situation in the Middle East and secure the release of all Israeli hostages.

Following Trump’s post, several Israeli and international leaders voiced their support for his bold rhetoric and commitment to the security of Israel and the region. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed gratitude on X, saying, “Thank you, Mr. President, for your commitment to Israel’s security and the security of the entire free world and for your concern for the return of all our hostages to their homes.”

Global Support and Reactions

US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham expressed his full backing for Trump’s approach, tweeting, “President Donald Trump, you have my complete and total support.” He further underscored his belief that Trump is the right leader to handle the challenges in the Middle East, noting, “This is why I believe President Trump is the right man at the right time to deal with the bad guys and bring peace to the world.”

Jason Greenblatt, a former US Middle East envoy, defended Trump’s unorthodox methods, asserting, “President Trump's methods may be different for some, but his methods get real results, especially in the tough world we live in!” David Friedman, former US Ambassador to Israel, also voiced his approval, calling Trump’s message the “right message by the right person at the right time!”

Pro-Israel political action committee AIPAC thanked Trump for his unwavering stance on securing the release of hostages and ensuring Israel's security. The organization praised Trump’s “unequivocal demand that Hamas free all the hostages now and for ensuring Israel has the resources it needs to protect its families.”

Families of Hostages Demand Action

Meanwhile, families of hostages and protesters in Israel are continuing their efforts to bring attention to the plight of the remaining captives. On Thursday, a protest was held outside the Likud headquarters in Tel Aviv, demanding continued efforts to secure the release of hostages. One of the key figures in the protest, Naama Weinberg, a cousin of hostage Itay Svirsky, shared her frustration. “We woke up this morning to the images of our heroes,” she said, lamenting the emotional toll the hostages have endured.

Ayala Metzger, daughter-in-law of hostage Yoram Metzger, also expressed her deep frustration with the lack of progress, calling for the declaration of the war’s end. "For 517 days, we have been promised that war would bring them back, yet we are experiencing the complete opposite reality," she said, urging action to resolve the crisis.