The threat of joint US-Israeli military action against Hamas is on the table if the terrorist organization refuses to free all remaining hostages held captive in Gaza — with President Trump saying “somebody” will have to match Hamas’ ruthlessness.
Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East, told reporters at the White House Thursday that “action” could be taken “jointly with the Israelis” if Hamas fails to release the hostages, as the Trump administration seeks a swift end to the conflict.
President Trump was later asked to clarify whether Witkoff meant the US would engage in military operations with Israel against Hamas, to which the president replied, “We’re going to find out,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
“Somebody’s going to have to get a lot rougher than they’re getting. It’s a shame,” Trump added.
The president is keeping the pressure on after he issued a threatening ultimatum to Hamas on Wednesday in a social media post, demanding they “Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you.”
He added that “not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say” and “if you hold Hostages … you are DEAD!”
Witkoff said Thursday he remains committed to a diplomatic solution as the officials revealed this week the US has been secretly engaged in direct talks with Hamas — despite a longtime US policy of not engaging with terrorists.
“If the dialogue doesn’t work, then the alternative is not such a good alternative for Hamas,” he said.
Witkoff confirmed that there is a deadline for Hamas to release the hostages, but would not say when.
He called on the terrorist group to release the last American hostage, 21-year-old Edan Alexander, as a gesture of good faith.
Adam Boehler, Trump’s hostage envoy, is allegedly leading the talks with Hamas in Doha, with the discussions being described as “positive,” suggesting phase two of the precarious cease-fire deal with Israel could happen soon.
Under the second phase of the cease-fire deal, which was reached in January, all living hostages were to be freed in exchange for Israel removing troops from Gaza — which it has refused to do.
The backroom talks, however, were a complete shock to Israel.
“We do not know of progress in talks on phase two,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.
Netanyahu has indicated that he is not interested in advancing to phase two of the deal, which calls on Israel to withdraw fully from Gaza and lay the groundwork for a permanent end to the war.
He has instead called for an extension of the first phase of the cease-fire deal to continue to release the 59 hostages remaining in Gaza.