U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a "last warning" to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza after direct negotiations with the group.
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued what he calls a "last warning" to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza. This follows direct talks between U.S. officials and Hamas, marking a departure from Washington's longstanding policy of avoiding contact with the militant group.
Trump stated that Hamas must release all hostages and return the bodies of those killed. He made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, warning that failure to comply would result in severe consequences. He also promised a "beautiful future" for Gaza civilians, "but not if they hold hostages."
This warning comes just hours after the U.S. confirmed direct negotiations with Hamas—a significant departure from U.S. policy against negotiating with groups that the U.S. designates as terrorist organizations.
The talks occur amid a fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The White House confirmed that U.S. officials held two direct meetings with Hamas representatives in Doha, Qatar, following several indirect communications.
As diplomatic efforts continue, Israel maintains that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 24 believed to be alive. U.S. citizens are also among those held captive. Hamas has yet to comment on Trump’s threats.
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Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
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