Trump issues ultimatum to Hamas to return slain hostages’ bodies or be punished

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): Despite the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, the bodies of all the slain hostages have not been returned. Angered by this, US President Donald Trump has warned Hamas to immediately begin returning the bodies of the deceased hostages. If Hamas fails to do so, Arab countries involved in the peace efforts will take action.

US President Donald Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social, "Hamas must begin returning the bodies of the hostages, including two Americans, immediately or other countries involved in this peacekeeping operation will take action." "Some bodies are difficult to access, but some they could return now and for some reason they are not doing so. Perhaps it has to do with their disarmament, but when I said 'both sides will be treated fairly,' that only applies if they fulfill their obligations," Donald Trump wrote.

President Trump further wrote, "Let's see what they do in the next 48 hours." He also stated that he was personally looking into the matter. However, all living hostages have been returned from Gaza. Hamas also returned the bodies of 15 of the 28 dead hostages under the US-proposed ceasefire agreement, but the bodies of the remaining 13 dead hostages have not yet been handed over.

Hours before Donald Trump's post, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met with the families of two American citizens killed in the October 7, 2023, attacks. The president's statement came after a brief meeting aboard Air Force One in Doha with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Qatar played a key role in peace talks and ceasefire efforts in Gaza.

After meeting with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, US President Trump said, "The Emir is one of the world's greatest rulers and the Prime Minister has been a friend of mine." Donald Trump later told the media that the Gaza peace deal was also discussed during the meeting, after which he left for the next leg of his Asia tour.