JAKARTA - Hamas said the repeated threat of US President Trump to Palestinians was a support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw from the ceasefire in Gaza and intensify the siege of Gazans.
Trump previously demanded that Hamas "release all hostages now, not later, including the remains of the hostages who died, or everything is over for you".
Through a text message to Reuters, Hamas spokesman Abdel-Lative Al-Qanoua said: "The best path to freeing the remaining Israeli prisoners is to enter the second phase of occupation and force them to comply with a signed agreement under the support of a mediator."
The ceasefire deal in Gaza, which came into force in January, was negotiated with Trump's elected envoy who participated with envoys from the Biden administration who would end his term of office.
The agreement calls for the remaining hostages to be released in the second phase, where the final plans will be negotiated to end the war.
The first phase of the ceasefire ended on Saturday, and Israel has since imposed a total blockade on all goods entering Gaza, demanding Hamas release the remaining hostages without starting negotiations to end the war.
Palestinians say the blockade could cause starvation among the 2.3 million people living in Gaza's ruins.
Trump made his new threat after a White House meeting on Wednesday with a group of hostages who had been released in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
"I send to Israel everything it takes to complete this job, no single Hamas member will be safe if you don't do what I say," he said.
"Also, to the Gazan people: A beautiful future awaits, but not if you take a hostage. If you do, you DIE! Make a FUN decision. FREE THE CURRENT SANDER, OR THERE WILL BE A NERAKA TO PAY LATER!
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