“We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed,” Trump wrote, adding that he had previously negotiated hostage releases and halted multiple wars. He urged Israel to “play to win, or don’t play at all.”
1 View gallery
U.S. President Donald Trump
(Photo: Andrew Harnik / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
According to regional outlets, Palestinian factions have signaled readiness to back the proposal, though Hamas requested more time. Egyptian officials presented a document resembling a framework Israel had previously rejected, while U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has promoted a phased approach to hostage releases.
The plan envisions gradual Israeli withdrawals from Gaza tied to staged hostage releases, but resistance inside Israel’s government—particularly from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich—remains strong.
The coordinated Qatari-Egyptian push comes as reports suggest Hamas may attempt to relocate hostages to Gaza City, linking their fate to Israel’s planned offensive there. Protests in Israel demanding an immediate deal have intensified pressure on leaders in Jerusalem and Cairo to secure an agreement.
