Trump openly threatens genocide in Gaza on social media

In a shocking statement, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday openly threatened to kill everyone in the Gaza Strip if the Palestinian resistance group Hamas did not immediately release all hostages.

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump posted a menacing message directed at Palestinians, beginning with, "Shalom Hamas. 'Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose."

Continuing his scathing criticism of Hamas, he further wrote, "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, "Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!"

Trump asserted that the US was "sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job," emphasising that "not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say."

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The 78-year-old president stated that he had met with Israeli hostages released by Hamas and described his message as a "last warning."

He further warned Hamas to leave Gaza, claiming that his "Riviera project" in the enclave would bring "peace" to the region.

Trump’s inflammatory remarks came at a time when the White House announced that the US administration was engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas for the release of all Israeli hostages, holding the first such talks since 1997.

The negotiations are being described as "unprecedented" since the US designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation in 1997 and has historically refused to engage in talks with such groups.

The discussions aim to secure the release of 52 Israeli captives held in Gaza, with 22 of them believed to be alive.

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It is worth noting that Trump has previously issued multiple threats against Hamas, but the exact timeline of his latest warning remains unclear.

However, what stands out this time is his direct threat against civilians in Gaza, signaling an escalation toward full-scale genocide.

In his most explicit threat to Palestinians, the 47th US president said, "To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!" He added: "Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!"