Forum Topic

Trump takes on Hamas

BBC News 6/3/25"Trump issues 'last warning' to Hamas as US confirms direct hostage talks" 'US President Donald Trump has issued what he called a "last warning" to Hamas to release the hostages being held in Gaza."I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do as I say," Trump said in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform.Hamas accused the US president of encouraging Israel to break the ceasefire deal currently in effect between the two sides.Trump's statement came just hours after the White House confirmed it was holding direct talks with Hamas over the remaining hostages.Washington has until now avoided direct engagement with the group, and there is a longstanding US policy against having direct contact with entities it lists as terrorist organisations.In his social media post, Trump said there would be "hell to pay" if the hostages were not released, while not specifying the nature of the support he was sending Israel."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."For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance."He also appeared to issue a wider threat: "Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"At last perhaps the force required to crush these terrorist killers and the destruction of their craven leadership not already hiding in exile.

John Hawkes ● 399d16 Comments

Hi IvonneI am afraid that I don’t agree with  your interpretation of Trump’s remark. The BBC certainly reported it as a threat to the wider population but is this justified? What Trump actually said was, ‘if you hold hostages … you are dead’. That is not a threat to everyone but to those holding hostages i.e. Hamas. In any case, even if Israel were to resume its military campaign, awful as that would be, it would still not be genocide unless it could be shown that Israel intends to exterminate the Palestinian population of Gaza. There is no evidence of any such intention. The only group tainted with genocidal intentions is Hamas because it is in their charter.

Steven Rose ● 399d

It is just that John Hawkes posted a BBC article.

Ivonne Holliday ● 399d

Of course.  Why do you ask?

Sue Hammond ● 399d

"Just another Brigoist dig at Trump"Hold on, i've got my own adjective!?!?!?Whoop, I have surely made it :)

Michael Brigo ● 399d

Hello Sue,Did you see John Hawkes' first post of this thread?

Ivonne Holliday ● 399d

Hi Ivonne.  I wondered when the inevitable BBC news article would appear, so thanks for that.  Hopefully it has exercised due diligence this time. Sadly during a war it is quite tricky not to hurt civilians, you must agree.  In a perfect make-believe world it would be lovely if Trump could say 'right you lot in Gaza, would all the innocent civilians please gather together in the north, and all the Hamas terrorists in the south. Thankyou for your beautiful cooperation'.Unfortunately in reality a lot of the civilian population actually support Hamas and Hamas terrorists have infiltrated into civilian communities to keep them hostage, so how could wounding and killing innocent people be avoided?  It is impossible.

Sue Hammond ● 399d

Mr Hawkes 'what has this to do with the price of fish?' 😂😂😂

Lucille Grant ● 399d

Hello Steven,Trump threatened all in Gaza, not just Hamas:He [Trump] also appeared to issue a wider threat: "Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mwln4p87do  paragraph 9

Ivonne Holliday ● 399d

Trump did not threaten the people of Gaza with genocide. He only threatened those who hold hostages i.e. Hamas with hellfire.m

Steven Rose ● 399d

Mr Hawkes, I'd agree the political situations regarding Ukraine and Gaza are significantly different apart from the killing of civilians.  I'm not sure of the practicality of removing Hamas - or, for that matter, Putin in Russia. A major difference in that, although the Trump is talking to both initiator of the current conflicts - Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Hamas' incursion and hostages taking from Israel - he seems to be pro Putin and anti Hamas; that appears to me inconsistent. Some in the US are now wondering if Trump is a Russian agent based on his track record of visiting Russia on business and his pro Putin stance. If Trump attacks Panama and Greenland, would you suggest the US electorate eject him between elections?If my comment is trite is probably because like many others (including friends in the US) I'm just trying to make sense of it all!

Michael Ixer ● 399d

Mr AinsworthWhilst acknowledging your seeming erudition, I do have to ask myself "What has this got to do with the price of fish"

John Hawkes ● 399d

Mr Ixer'If he was being consistent with his pronouncements on Ukraine surely he would want to stop the killing of civilians?'Disappointingly trite comment if I might say so.Just another Brigoist dig at Trump.What makes you think he does not want both situations to end peacefully ?Putin attacking Ukraine and Hamas attacking Israel.And both Putin and Hamas to stop killing.The political situations are in no way comparable other than the fact innocent civilians are being killed in situations they did not sanction and doubtless do not support.

John Hawkes ● 399d

"If he was being consistent with his pronouncements on Ukraine surely he would want to stop the killing of civilians?""“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that's all.”From:-Lewis Carroll: Through the Looking-Glass"---------------------------------"The R9X [Lockheed-Martin Hellfire], also known as the "ninja bomb," was developed under the Obama administration and is said to lack an explosive charge. Equipped with six blades that deploy before impact, it shreds its target without any blast effect.""Four Hellfire missiles and a severed hand: The killing of Qassem Soleimani.Ripped to pieces, Soleimani was identified by his ring; strike was planned days ago, with Trump telling Sen. Graham on Monday, apparently while they played golf in Florida"(Times of Israel 3/1/20)I imagine that Trump must have cursed the bonespurs which kept him out of the Vietnam War. Or did he really avoid it for moral reasons?

David Ainsworth ● 399d

Mr Brigo'"Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"Threatening genocide again then - note he didnt limit it to Hamas, he threatened 'the people of Gaza'.1) In a war, is it not legitimate to threaten any measures of retribution to your enemy that sinks to taking hostages and treating them so barbarically as they have, people of a country that you are allied with ?2) I thought that Hamas was elected in 2007 as the representative of the people of Gaza.If Gazans no longer wish this to be the case why do they not take steps to remove them from this position of authority ?Being threatened with what you describe as genocide must at least give the Palestinians and inkling of what the Jews suffered in the past - actual industrialised genocide.I am amazed that in your hatred of Trump you side with those that support a terrorist organisation.

John Hawkes ● 399d

If he was being consistent with his pronouncements on Ukraine surely he would want to stop the killing of civilians?

Michael Ixer ● 399d

"Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"Threatening genocide again then - note he didnt limit it to Hamas, he threatened 'the people of Gaza'.

Michael Brigo ● 399d