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‘Shalom Hamas': Trump threatens Palestinian terrorist group

The ultimatum to release the remaining hostages in Gaza or face severe consequences was delivered after an Oval Office meeting with freed captives.

Trump hostages
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with released hostages in the Oval Office at the White House on March 5, 2025. Credit: Molly Riley/White House.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Hamas in a social-media post on Wednesday after an Oval Office meeting with a delegation of eight freed Israeli hostages.

“‘Shalom Hamas’ means hello and goodbye—you can choose,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “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. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted.”

“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,” the president added. “Release the hostages now, or there will be hell to pay later.”

“The most powerful response we can offer is not conflict but proudly and peacefully enjoying the food, atmosphere and togetherness that these wonderful businesses bring to Philadelphia,” the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia said.
“It’s an evolving trend that shows greater signs of permanence than temporary quality,” Dan Diker of the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs told JNS.
“We’ll show up strong, with pride and solidarity, and keep the focus on peaceful support,” Yehuda Sichel, who owns Huda in downtown Philadelphia, told JNS.
“We have seen what happens when hatred of Jews moves from the fringes of society into organized political power,” Rabbi Steven Burg of Aish told JNS.