President Trump on Hostages and Ceasefire Talks
On Monday, President Donald Trump stated that the remaining hostages held by Hamas will be returned after the organization is “faced and destroyed.” This remark came amid ongoing discussions about a ceasefire, as Gaza-based terrorist groups indicated progress on negotiations.
Last month, the U.S. and Israel withdrew negotiators from Qatar, with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkov, suggesting that Hamas wasn’t negotiating sincerely, showing little interest in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.
“We will see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is faced and destroyed!!!” Trump tweeted, emphasizing that a swift resolution would improve chances of success. He recalled his own past negotiations, claiming he was the one who facilitated the release of hundreds of hostages and ended multiple conflicts in a very short timeframe.
As Trump made these comments, he was preparing for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders at the White House, aiming to work on another peace initiative involving Russia.
Meanwhile, Hamas announced that it had accepted a new ceasefire proposal from Arab mediators, contingent on Israeli approval. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked that Hamas is under significant pressure, as Israel plans to strengthen its control over Gaza City and other heavily populated areas following recent ceasefire negotiations in Qatar.
In a video statement, Netanyahu said, “Hamas is under great pressure,” echoing sentiments about the necessity of tackling the threat posed by the group. He visited the Gaza Division on Monday, expressing gratitude to the Israeli Defense Forces for their accomplishments and discussing the ongoing mission in Gaza.
On the diplomatic front, a negotiator revealed that Qatar-Egypt mediators achieved a breakthrough that is largely in line with Witkov’s proposals, despite recent escalations. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatti mentioned that efforts are being made to revive a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and confirmed that talks are still ongoing with senior Hamas leaders.
This proposal purportedly includes changes to the extent of Israeli military presence and guarantees for a more permanent ceasefire. Reports indicate it aligns closely with previous agreements accepted by Israel, though they have not yet joined the latest discussions.
Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to continue military operations until all hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed, maintaining a security presence in Gaza. Contrarily, Hamas has indicated that it would only release the remaining hostages in exchange for a complete ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces.
