US President Donald Trump threatened the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, on Wednesday with “severe consequences” if it continues to hold Israeli captives and the bodies of dead hostages. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!” said Trump on his social media platform.

“Shalom Hamas means Hello or 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,” said Trump.

However, the US president ignored the fact that Israel is withholding the bodies of at least 665 Palestinians killed by the Israeli army, including some killed decades ago. According to Palestinian NGO the National Campaign to Retrieve Martyrs’ Bodies, Israel keeps the bodies in the so-called “Cemeteries of Numbers” and mortuaries.

These cemeteries have graves with each bearing a metal........

© Middle East Monitor