President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Hamas, stating that the group will face "complete obliteration" if it refuses to step down from power in the Gaza Strip during peace negotiations with Israel. This statement came during a text exchange with CNN host Jake Tapper, where Trump discussed the ongoing situation and the potential for a U.S.-backed peace proposal.
Hamas has shown some initial willingness to engage with the peace talks but has yet to release its remaining hostages, which is a crucial step in the negotiation process. Trump emphasized that if Hamas rejects the peace plan, the consequences would be severe. Tapper pointed out that Senator Lindsey Graham believes Hamas has already effectively rejected the proposal by insisting on conditions like no disarmament and maintaining control over Gaza while tying hostage releases to the negotiations. Trump responded, saying, "We will find out. Only time will tell."
The president remains optimistic that Hamas will soon begin releasing hostages, stating that negotiations are currently ongoing. He described his peace proposal as a "great deal" for Israel and the broader Arab and Muslim world. Trump expressed confidence that discussions are progressing well and that a resolution could be reached in the coming days.
Currently, Hamas is holding 48 hostages, with only 28 believed to still be alive. The White House recently introduced a 20-point peace plan that outlines a pathway to a Palestinian state. This plan has garnered support from major Arab nations, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar. However, the first phase of the plan hinges on Hamas releasing its hostages. In exchange, Israel is prepared to withdraw its military to pre-established lines and release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Despite Hamas’s initial openness to negotiations, concerns remain about its track record of honoring agreements. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly expressed skepticism about Hamas’s willingness to negotiate, indicating that there is little to celebrate at this stage.
On a recent ABC News appearance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that this is perhaps the closest the U.S. has come to securing the release of all hostages. He warned that if it becomes clear that Hamas is not serious about releasing the hostages, the U.S. will take a firmer stance, as Trump reiterated on social media.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump highlighted the positive discussions taking place and urged all parties to act quickly to prevent further violence. He stressed the importance of finding peace in the Middle East, warning that time is of the essence to avoid "massive bloodshed" that no one wants to see.
