Trump: Hostages will only be released ‘when Hamas is confronted and destroyed’

Apparently backing Israel’s planned expansion of the war into Gaza City, US President Donald Trump says hostages held in Gaza will only be freed “when Hamas is confronted and destroyed,” in a post on his Truth Social site.

“We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be,” he writes.

“Remember, I was the one who negotiated and got hundreds of hostages freed and released into Israel (and America!),” he says, exaggerating the number of people freed in the January-March ceasefire deal, when Hamas released 30 hostages — 20 Israeli civilians, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals — and the bodies of eight slain Israeli captives.

One additional hostage, a dual American-Israeli citizen, was released by the terror group in May as a “gesture” to the United States.

“I was the one who ended 6 wars, in just 6 months. I was the one who OBLITERATED Iran’s Nuclear facilities. Play to WIN, or don’t play at all! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT,” Trump adds.