Quotes
The president was pretty blunt. It's time for Hamas to start acting in a responsible and reasonable way, and we don't think that they had been doing that. Eden Alexander is very important to us, as are all the hostages, but Eden is an American and he's injured, so he's top priority for us."
U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff
The enemy's leadership is still attempting to evade the agreement in search of an American cover to continue its aggression against our people."
In a video broadcast through the Telegram channel of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, spokesman Abu Obaida saidI warn the families of the hostages and everyone who cares that any escalation by the enemy will result in the killings of more hostages, as happened before on many occasions."
Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu ObaidaThe so-called three phase ceasefire deal should have led to a permanent cessation of hostilities and the release of all Palestinians and Israelis unlawfully detained as a most basic requisite for sustainable peace. Instead, they resulted in further violence and even further destruction of Palestinian life. This is both unlawful and utterly inhumane."
U.N. human rights experts' statement
We are having discussions with Hamas. We are helping Israel in those discussions because we're talking about Israeli hostages and we're not doing anything in terms of Hamas. We're not giving cash."
U.S. President Donald TrumpWe had a wonderful day with the hostages yesterday... they got a treat a lifetime, they got to spend some time with President Trump. And we thought it was going to be a short period of time because his day was busy, but he ended up spending about an hour with them, with each of the hostages, pictures, and spent a lot of time listening to their stories about what happened to them in captivity. And he was clearly emotional about it as anybody would be,
Witkoff also said
We're not going to sit here, do nothing and tolerate this kind of inhumane conditions,
Witkoff saidThe president was pretty blunt,
Witkoff addedIf not, the Cabinet will convene and decide on the next step,
he said
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 said
These threats complicate matters regarding the ceasefire agreement and encourage the occupation to avoid implementing its terms,
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasim said in a statement.jpg)
The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories,
Leavitt saidIsrael has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas,
the prime minister's office saidLook, dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what's in the best interest of the American people is something that the president ... believes is a good-faith effort to do what's right for the American people,
she said
I think that the main thing is that President Trump actually changed the whole idea. Instead of putting Israel under pressure, President Trump is putting Hamas under pressure, and this is the right thing to do,
Akunis said, in comments widely reported in Israel
There is a new attitude from the White House … against Hamas. They can talk with Hamas, that’s OK,
he told the network.jpg)
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."
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich
Serious negotiations for the ceasefire in all its facets must be resumed without delay. All hostages must be released — immediately, unconditionally and in a dignified manner."
U.N. Secretary-General António GuterresTrump's threats complicate matters related to the ceasefire agreement and push the occupation's government to become more radical. If Trump cares about releasing the occupation's hostages, he should pressure Netanyahu to begin negotiations for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. We fear that the occupation will take advantage of Trump's statements to intensify the Gaza siege and starvation policy against its residents."
Hamas Spokesperson Hazem QassemSuch positions are what give the war criminal Netanyahu the strength and ability to continue his crimes,
Salama Maroof, spokesperson for the Hamas-controlled Gaza government said Thursday