The US President, Donald Trump, has suggested that a deal could be coming soon to end the war in Gaza and release the remaining Israeli hostages.
Trump’s remarks followed a “last warning” to the Palestinian group to accept his terms. Hamas, on its part, confirmed readiness to negotiate a deal that brings the war to an end and release the hostages.
Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Saturday night, calling on Trump to end the war and bring the hostages back.
A Looming Deal
After arriving in Washington from New York, Trump told reporters that he had been discussing the Gaza deal issue on the plane, hinting that an agreement could be reached soon, according to Reuters. “We’re working on a solution that may be very good. You’ll be hearing about it pretty soon. We’re trying to get it ended, get the hostages back,” the US President said without giving further details.
Trump’s comments followed an earlier warning to the Palestinian movement. “The Israelis have accepted my Terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well. I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning, there will not be another one!” he posted on Truth Social.
On Friday, Trump said that the US was in “very deep negotiations” with Hamas, warning the Palestinian group of consequences if they did not release the hostages. “We said let them all out, right now let them all out. And much better things will happen for them but if you don’t let them all out, it’s going to be a tough situation, it’s going to be nasty,” he said.
Hamas’ Position
Hamas confirmed on Sunday it had received “some ideas” from the US through mediators to reach a deal, adding that it was working to develop those ideas. In a statement, the Palestinian group emphasized its “immediate readiness to sit at the negotiating table” to discuss the release of all hostages in exchange for a “clear announcement of an end to the war.”
This includes the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the formation of an independent Palestinian committee to administer the territory. Moreover, Hamas stressed that any deal must include a “public and explicit commitment” from Israel to ensure the agreement is not reversed or ignored later, according to CNN.
Proposal Details
The US Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, sent Trump’s new proposal to Hamas last week via an Israeli peace activist, Axios reported citing two sources familiar with the matter. The new proposal calls for Hamas to release all 48 hostages on the first day of the ceasefire and for Israel to freeze its operation to occupy Gaza City, a senior Israeli official said.
Furthermore, Israel will release 2500-3000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Negotiations on the conditions for ending the war will start once the ceasefire comes into force. If Hamas accepts the proposal, Trump will actively work to end the war, and the ceasefire will resume as long as negotiations continue.
The proposal included a message to Hamas that declining the initiative would bring severe consequences, which is a large-scale Israeli operation in Gaza, according to the Israeli official.
Israeli Anticipation
The office of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a statement shortly after Israeli media reported on the new ceasefire proposal, according to CNN. “Israel is seriously considering President Trump’s proposal; it appears Hamas will continue its refusal,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum commended Trump’s efforts and describing the proposal as a “true breakthrough.” In a statement on X, they said: “Such an agreement would advance a broader regional settlement, secure the release of all hostages, allow soldiers and reservists to return home to rebuild their families and livelihoods, and lay the foundation for Israel’s security – ending a war that has dragged on for nearly two years.”
They urged the Israeli government to accept the deal to return the hostages. “We call on the Government of Israel to declare its unequivocal support for the emerging agreement and to provide President Trump with full backing until every hostage returns home- the living for rehabilitation, and the fallen for a dignified burial in their homeland,” the statement added.
