Hamas rejected what it described as President Trump’s recent threat and stated it would not release additional Israeli hostages without a permanent ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua stated that negotiating a second phase of the ceasefire agreement is the “best path to free the remaining Israeli hostages.”

The initial 42-day ceasefire phase concluded on Saturday. A second phase was planned for early February, but progress has been limited to preliminary discussions.

Hamas’s statement follows Trump’s meeting with eight former hostages in Washington and his subsequent post on Truth Social on Wednesday.

“‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose,” the president’s post began. “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.”

Trump added that he is ” determined it needs to finish the job,” and that “not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”

“Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages,” the president wrote. “If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”

Hamas is believed to still be holding 24 living hostages from the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the current conflict. They are also holding the remains of 34 individuals killed during the attack or while in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in the 2014 war.

The Oct. 7 attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in Israel, primarily civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages. The majority of these hostages have been released through ceasefire agreements or other arrangements. Israeli forces have rescued eight living hostages and recovered the bodies of numerous others.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military actions have resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children. The ministry does not specify how many of the deceased were militants. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 fighters, but has not provided supporting evidence.

Digital’s Andrea Margolis and