U.S. President Donald Trump issued a "last warning" to Hamas, demanding that the group release the remaining hostages in Gaza or face severe consequences, stating, "There will be hell to pay later." His remarks followed the White House's confirmation that the U.S. had engaged in direct talks with Hamas regarding the hostages held in the Palestinian enclave.

Until recently, the U.S. had refrained from direct negotiations with Hamas, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the U.S. State Department in 1997.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump condemned Hamas as "sick and twisted" for keeping the bodies of hostages and refusing to release them. He also urged Hamas leaders to leave Gaza, stating that "a beautiful future awaits" the people there.

"'Shalom Hamas' means hello and goodbye - You can choose. Release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all 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," he stated.

"I have just met with your former hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza while you still have a chance. Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are dead! Make a smart decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!" he further stated.

Adam Boehler, the US special envoy for hostage affairs, recently held direct talks with Hamas in Doha, according to a source confirming an Axios report. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Israel had been consulted before the discussions took place, as reported by the BBC. "When it comes to the negotiations that you're referring to, first of all, the special envoy who's engaged in those negotiations does have the authority," she stated.

She stated that the efforts of Adam Boehler, the special envoy for hostages, were a "good faith effort to do what's right for the American people," according to BBC.

A source revealed that the talks have primarily focused on securing the release of American hostages still held in Gaza. However, discussions have also covered a broader agreement to free all remaining hostages and explore ways to establish a long-term truce.

Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to return to the region in the coming days to work on either extending the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal or progressing to the second phase, according to a State Department spokesperson on Monday.

The ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19, ended 15 months of fighting. It facilitated the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The deal was intended to pave the way for further negotiations to build upon the ceasefire.