US President Donald Trump has issued a final warning to Hamas, demanding that the group accept a deal to release hostages held in Gaza.
Trump said Israel had already agreed to the terms and called on Hamas to do the same. “The Israelis have accepted my terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well. This is my last warning,” he posted on social media.
Hamas Responds to US Pressure
In a quick response, Hamas said it was ready to “immediately sit at the negotiating table.” The group pointed to new American ideas aimed at securing both a ceasefire and a hostage release deal.
According to Axios, White House envoy Steve Witkoff shared the proposal with Hamas last week. The White House has not yet revealed details, but Trump told reporters, “Good things could happen. I think we’re going to have a deal on Gaza very soon.”
Israeli campaigners, including the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, welcomed Trump’s remarks as a “true breakthrough.”
Hostages Still in Gaza
Hamas militants seized 251 hostages during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Officials say 47 remain in Gaza, with 25 confirmed dead. Israel is seeking the return of their remains alongside the release of survivors.
Escalation in Gaza City
As talks continued, Israeli forces bombed another residential tower in Gaza City on Sunday. It was the third tower destroyed in recent days.
At least 48 people were killed in the strikes, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the assault on Gaza City was being “deepened,” accusing Hamas of using civilians as human shields.
The war has caused immense suffering. The October 7 attack killed 1,219 people in Israel. Since then, Israel’s offensive has left more than 64,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Hamas-run health ministry figures cited by the United Nations.
