Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt said Thursday on Newsmax that Steve Witkoff, special envoy to the Middle East, is delivering an unambiguous warning to Hamas, reinforcing President Donald Trump’s stance on the hostage crisis in Gaza.

During an appearance on “The Chris Salcedo Show,” Holt said Hamas responds only to power and force and Witkoff is making it clear that the group has little leverage in hostage negotiations.

When asked whether Trump means his warning to Hamas, Holt said, “He does, and the only thing that anybody in the Hamas terror group respects is power and brute force.”

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