President Donald Trump reiterated his warning that Hamas would face a major offensive if the group does not agree to concede control of Gaza ahead of anticipated talks in Egypt towards releasing the remaining hostages and ending the war.
In a text message sent to CNN reporter Jake Tapper on Saturday, the president said the consequences for Hamas would be “complete obliteration” if the group insists on staying in power.
Trump already suggested that Hamas could face a dire outcome when he unveiled a 20-point ceasefire plan with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week. Both leaders said if Hamas did not agree to the terms, the U.S. would back Israel to “finish the job.” Trump also said Friday that “all hell” would break out if Hamas did not agree.
Trump’s ultimatum arrives at a crucial moment as delegations head to Egypt for further negotiations on Monday. Talks today will focus on the first phase of the 20-point proposal: the release of the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, and a withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s envoys, are expected to join the discussions in Cairo and help facilitate the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
Hamas has not accepted the full terms of the 20-point deal, but has agreed to release the hostages in exchange for prisoners. Israel has sought to recover the remaining hostages, which are believed to be around 20 living people and 25 bodies of the deceased.
Under the proposed plan, hostages would be released within 72 hours of the agreement in exchange for 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 people from Gaza who were jailed during the conflict, which began October 7, 2023. Israel will also hand over the bodies of 15 deceased Gazans for each deceased Israeli.
It remains unclear whether Monday will end with a solidified plan for the hostage-prisoner swap, with so many other terms of the deal uncertain.
Trump has expressed an optimistic view of the negotiations, telling reporters Sunday evening that countries surrounding Israel have had “great meetings” with Hamas and it “looks like it’s working.”
“The technical teams will again meet Monday, in Egypt, to work through and clarify the final details,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST.”
In the same post, the president repeated his warning to Hamas.
“TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW — SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!” Trump wrote.
Trump earlier said he believed that Hamas was “ready for a lasting PEACE” and called on Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” [sic]
Preparatory meetings are expected to take place between representatives of Hamas, Qatar and Egypt at 10:00 (08:00 BST) in Cairo, before indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, a senior Palestinian official told the BBC.
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas are then to go ahead in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, an Egyptian official and three Israeli sources told CNN. Negotiators from the U.S., Israel and Hamas were expected to take part.
Hamas’ delegation is expected to be headed by Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ chief negotiator. Al-Hayya was said to be among the targets of Israel’s strike on Doha last month.
Israel’s delegation was to be led by Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Netanyahu’s office announced on Sunday.
The U.S. will be represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law and former presidential advisor, Jared Kushner.
Monday’s negotiations are also expected to address Israeli troops pulling out of parts of Gaza – another major point of Trump’s proposed deal that Hamas has been fighting toward for two years. It’s unclear how much Israel is willing to withdraw.
Other parts of the deal, especially those pertaining to Hamas’ power in Gaza, will need to be hammered out in time. Under Trump’s proposed deal, Hamas would have to give up governing authority in Gaza and lay down its weapons.
Members of Hamas who “commit to peaceful coexistence” would be given amnesty, and granted safe passage to receiving countries should they leave. It is still unclear which countries would take them.
Gaza would then be run by a transitional government responsible for the day-to-day administration, overseen by an international body called the “Board of Peace”.
Trump would chair the Board, and Sir Tony Blair would be a member. There are scant details on who else would be involved.
Israeli attacks continued overnight and into Monday, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense told the BBC, reporting that 24 Palestinians had been killed in the latest 24 hours.
Spokesman Mahmoud Basal told the broadcaster that “no aid trucks have been allowed into Gaza City since the offensive began four weeks ago”.
The two-year-long conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking hundreds of others hostage. In response, Israel has waged a bloody offensive in Gaza, killing more than 65,000 people, thousands of whom are children, according to the health ministry in the Palestinian enclave.
Israel’s war in Gaza, which the United Nations has classified as a genocide, has decimated parts of the Gaza Strip and devastated the lives of millions. People living in Gaza are on the brink of starvation, with few resources coming in.
Israel has defended its offensive, saying they are targeting Hamas, not Palestinians.
