Trump issues ‘last warning’ to Hamas over hostage deal

“Everyone wants the hostages HOME. Everyone wants this War to end,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The Israelis have accepted my Terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well. … This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”

Nearly two years after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, 48 hostages remain in captivity. US and Israeli officials believe only about 20 are still alive.

Under the plan, Hamas would release all remaining hostages, including both survivors and the bodies of those who have been killed by the terror group, on the first day of the agreement. In exchange, Trump pledged a personal guarantee that Israel would pause hostilities until negotiations were resolved.

The proposal also includes the release of 2,000 to 3,000 Palestinian terrorists, including those convicted of murder. Israel would cancel its planned military operation in Gaza City and begin talks aimed at ending the war. Despite these concessions, Israeli forces would retain a limited presence in parts of Gaza under designated security zones.

Sources close to the negotiations told The Jerusalem Post that Hamas is unlikely to accept the deal. “Hamas would essentially be giving up the hostages on day one in return for a presidential guarantee,” one source said. “What happens if the negotiations collapse? Hamas would have lost all of its leverage.”

A senior Israeli official confirmed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is giving the proposal “serious consideration,” while acknowledging Hamas’ likely refusal.

In an official statement Sunday, Hamas claimed it was willing to “immediately sit at the negotiating table” but only in exchange for a clear declaration of the war’s end, a full Israeli withdrawal, and a new independent Palestinian governing committee for Gaza. The terror group also told Sky News Arabia it is considering Trump’s plan “with a positive spirit” and said all parties were approaching the talks with “great responsibility.”

The effort follows months of deadlocked negotiations. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, previously accused Hamas of negotiating in bad faith. In July, the US and Israel withdrew from Qatar talks after little progress. Witkoff later told Fox News that a deal to release 10 of the surviving hostages had been on the table for weeks, but Hamas blocked it.

Trump predicted a “conclusive” end to the war within weeks during August, though he has not detailed how this would occur. Netanyahu has remained firm that only a ceasefire ensuring the return of all hostages and Israel’s security terms will be acceptable.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced preparations for a new offensive in Gaza under Operation Gideon’s Chariots II. On Sunday, IDF spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee warned residents of parts of Gaza City to evacuate ahead of strikes, releasing maps marking areas targeted due to “Hamas terrorist infrastructure inside or nearby.”