US President Donald Trump has issued what he described as a "final warning" to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza.

"I am providing Israel with everything it needs to complete the mission—no Hamas member will be safe if you do not comply," Trump declared in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform.

His statement comes shortly after the White House confirmed that the US has engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas regarding the hostages.

Until now, Washington has refrained from direct contact with Hamas, in line with a longstanding US policy against engaging with groups it designates as terrorist organizations.

In his social media post, Trump warned of severe consequences if the hostages were not freed but did not specify the exact nature of US support for Israel.

"Release all hostages now—immediately—and return the bodies of those you murdered, or it is OVER for you," he wrote.

He also addressed Hamas leaders directly: "Now is the time to leave Gaza while you still have the chance."

Additionally, Trump appeared to issue a warning to Gaza’s civilians: "To the People of Gaza: A beautiful future awaits, but not if you hold hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"

This is not the first time Trump has made such threats against Hamas. In December, he vowed there would be "all hell to pay" if the hostages were not released before he took office.

His latest post followed a White House meeting with a group of recently freed hostages.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the US has been directly negotiating with Hamas to secure the release of American hostages. She emphasized that Israel had been consulted prior to the discussions.

According to Leavitt, President Trump’s priority is the best interests of the American people, and the special envoy for hostages, Adam Boehler, is working in good faith to achieve that goal.

A Palestinian source that there have been "two direct meetings" between Hamas and a US official, preceded by several communications.

Israel reports that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with up to 24 believed to be alive. American citizens are among those still held captive.

The news of US-Hamas talks was first reported by Axios, which stated that the meetings took place in Qatar, focusing on the release of American hostages and discussions on a broader deal to end the war.

Mick Mulroy, a former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East and an ex-CIA paramilitary officer, suggested that while the US must take a proactive approach to rescuing its citizens, the negotiations must be closely coordinated to avoid complicating Israel’s efforts to retrieve its own hostages.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that it has expressed its stance on the direct negotiations but did not provide further details.

Reports indicate that Boehler recently met with Hamas representatives in Doha, Qatar, where the group has maintained a base since 2012—reportedly at the request of the Obama administration.

Qatar, a small but strategically significant Gulf state, remains a key US ally in the region. It hosts a major American airbase and has played a central role in delicate diplomatic negotiations involving Iran, the Taliban, and Russia. Alongside the US and Egypt, Qatar has also been a key mediator in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.