From: The Guardian March 6, 2025
Hamas brushes off Trump's threat and says it will only free hostages in return for a lasting truce

The Hamas militant group on Thursday brushed off US president Donald Trump’s latest threat and reiterated that it will only free the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, reports the Associated Press (AP)

Hamas accused Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to back out of the ceasefire agreement they reached in January.

The agreement calls:
1. for negotiations over a second phase in which the hostages would be released in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners and detainees,
2. a permanent ceasefire
3. and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua told the AP that the “best path to free the remaining Israeli hostages” is through negotiations on that phase, which were supposed to begin in early February. Only limited preparatory talks have been held so far.

On Wednesday, Trump issued what he said was a “last warning” to Hamas after meeting with eight former hostages.

The White House meanwhile confirmed it had held unprecedented direct talks with the militant group.
It is unclear if the US-Hamas talks made any progress.