US President Donald Trump has warned that Hamas will face “complete obliteration” if the Palestinian militant group refuses to give up power and control of Gaza. In an interview with CNN, Trump said he expects to soon know whether Hamas is committed to peace, adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on board with ending the bombing.
Trump’s 20-point proposal requires Hamas to release all 48 hostages—about 20 of whom are thought by Israel to still be alive—surrender ruling power to a transnational authority headed by the US president, and disarm. In return, Israel would gradually withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip and release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, the plan sets no path to Palestinian statehood.
Hamas has agreed to only three points: the release of all hostages, the surrendering of power, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The group said the rest of the deal would have to be discussed alongside other Palestinian parties as part of a “collective national stance”, indicating a desire for further negotiations on disarmament and a timetable for Israel’s withdrawal.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel’s war in Gaza has “not yet” ended, describing the release of hostages as the first phase, with details on what happens after still to be worked out. The Gaza health ministry reports at least 67,139 Palestinians killed and 169,583 injured since 7 October 2023.
Meanwhile, Greece has offered diplomatic assistance to end the war, and Israel deported 29 activists detained for taking part in an aid flotilla to Gaza. Hundreds of thousands marched across European cities in support of Palestinians. The 15 remaining Italian citizens arrested by Israeli forces during the flotilla interception will leave Israel on Monday, according to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
