Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump on Wednesday met with eight hostages recently released from Gaza, listening to their difficult stories and later issuing a serious warning to Hamas terrorists who are responsible for such atrocities.
illustrating a poignant moment in the White House as they shared their difficult stories of survival and offered thanks to the president for his efforts to ensure their release and freedom.
“The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories. The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to bring all of the hostages home,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
A short video recap of the meeting shared by the White House showed the hostages assembled in the Oval Office, where they described what had happened to them. “They used to eat in front of us while they starved us,” survivor Aviva Siegel said, discussing the atrocities of Hamas terrorists.
Another devastating testimony from survivor Eli Sharabi struck a chord as he recounted his captivity and noted that his wife and two daughters were horrifically murdered on the October 7, 2023.
“One time they broke my ribs,” he said, “and I was so hurt that I couldn’t breathe for a month.”
He was held hostage for nearly 500 days.
Sharabi thanked President Trump for his work in freeing the hostages and expressed gratitude that he could now hug his mother and family members again.
Amid survivors’ stories of their harrowing experience being held by Hamas, former hostage Omer Shem Tov said he believed President Trump had a divine mandate.
“My family and I – myself – we believe you’ve been sent by God to release [the hostages],” he said.
Shortly after the meeting, President Trump released a statement on Truth Social, issuing a stern and deadly warning to Hamas terrorists:
‘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.
He noted that he had just met with the former hostages and warned Hamas leadership that “now is the time leave Gaza, while you still have the chance.”
The president explained to the “People of Gaza” that a “beautiful” future was ahead if they make a “SMART decision” and released the hostages. If not, “you are DEAD!”
He concluded, “RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW, OR THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY LATER!”