As I've suggested in the past, words without demonstrable actions are worse than no words at all. This simple truism particularly applies to promises, apologies, threats, and ultimatums.
This takes us to President Donald Trump and Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.
Hamas on Thursday potentially put Trump between and rock and a hard place, blowing off his latest threat — this one a clear ultimatum — and refused to release all remaining hostages without a permanent ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip, as reported by Fox News.
According to Fox, Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua said the "best path to free the remaining Israeli hostages" is through negotiations on a second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which lasted 42 days, ended on Saturday. A second phase was supposed to begin in early February, though only limited preparatory talks have been held so far.
Hamas’ response came after Trump met with eight former hostages in the Oval Office and posted what he called a "last warning" to Hamas on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday (emphasis, mine).
“Shalom Hamas” means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. 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. 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!
DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A textbook example of an ultimatum.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 5, 2025
Hamas terrorists brutally killed roughly 1,200 people, mostly civilians, during its horrific October 7, 2023 attack inside Israel, taking a total of 251 people hostage. Most have been released in ceasefire agreements or other arrangements. Israeli forces have rescued eight living hostages and recovered the bodies of dozens more.
So, as I asked in the headline, now what?
ALSO READ:
'You Were Our Hope...and Now You're Their Hope' - Hostages Released From Gaza Meet With Trump
Israel's Playing Hardball With Gaza Aid After Six-Week Hamas Ceasefire Expires
Again, threats and ultimatums without follow-up actions are worse than no threats at all — whether they're made to children, adults, or murderous terrorist organizations. If a parent tells a misbehaving child that he or she will be sent to his or her room if he or she doesn't stop doing "whatever" and doesn't follow through when the child refuses to stop, what does that tell the child?
Likewise, when threats and ultimatums are blown off by radical Islamist terrorist groups, a lack of follow-through only emboldens them, does it not?
So what should Trump and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu do now? Great question — for which there are no easy answers.
But I do know this: Hamas will become even more intransigent if it doesn't face consequences for dismissing Trump's warning.
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