Jerusalem: Hopes for a breakthrough in the Gaza conflict grew on Sunday as U.S. President Donald Trump issued what he called a “last warning” to Hamas, demanding the militant group accept his proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Trump expressed confidence that an agreement could be finalized “very soon,” insisting that all hostages, whether alive or deceased, would be returned.
According to reports, the American proposal includes a phased exchange in which Hamas would release 48 hostages on the first day of a ceasefire in return for the freeing of thousands of Palestinian prisoners. Additional negotiations would continue during the truce. Israeli media suggested that the plan is under serious consideration by Israel, though officials have not yet confirmed formal acceptance.
Hamas, however, remains cautious. A spokesperson for the group confirmed that it has received U.S.-mediated ideas and is prepared to negotiate. But Hamas continues to tie any hostage release to an end of the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a condition Israel has consistently rejected.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar reiterated that the conflict will only end if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and frees all hostages. While stressing that Israel is open to political solutions, Saar underlined that these non-negotiable demands must first be met. Meanwhile, the Israeli military pressed forward with airstrikes in Gaza City, targeting high-rise buildings and a school sheltering displaced families. Officials claimed that militants were present and civilians had been warned beforehand, though no independent verification has emerged.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen. The United Nations warned that famine could spread to central and southern Gaza by the end of September unless immediate and unimpeded aid access is granted. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher described the situation as a “narrow window” to avert catastrophe, with hundreds of thousands already facing severe food shortages. International pressure on Israel is also mounting, with European leaders calling for an urgent shift toward humanitarian relief.
As the war grinds on, the world watches for signs of movement in the fragile negotiations. Whether Trump’s ultimatum will bring Hamas to the table or further harden positions remains uncertain, but the coming days could prove decisive for the region’s future.