US President Donald Trump has issued what he described as his “last warning” to Hamas, urging the Palestinian group to accept a deal for the release of hostages in Gaza. He wrote on his Truth Social platform yesterday that Israel had agreed to his terms and warned that there would be no further offer. He expressed optimism that an agreement could emerge very soon and insisted that all captives, “dead or alive,” would eventually be returned.
The ultimatum comes at a time of heavy fighting and deadlocked ceasefire talks. Trump’s plan requires Hamas to release all 48 remaining hostages on the first day of a truce. In exchange, Israel would free thousands of Palestinian prisoners and halt its major offensive in Gaza City. Negotiations to end the war would then begin under Trump’s supervision, with the ceasefire maintained as long as talks continued.
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff had earlier said that Washington wanted the hostages home by the end of August. A previous arrangement could have secured the release of 10 of the roughly 20 believed to be alive, but it failed to move forward.
The fate of the hostages remains one of the most painful aspects of the conflict for Israel. Around 50 are thought to still be held, though Israeli estimates suggest only 20 are alive. Trump admitted concern that some of those assumed to be alive may have died in recent weeks, though he expressed hope this was not the case. He also said at least 30 of those abducted are known to have been killed, and efforts are being made to recover their remains. Families of the hostages have staged protests, and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum has welcomed Trump’s involvement.
Hamas has confirmed it has received proposals from the United States through mediators. It welcomed ideas that could stop what it called “aggression against our people” and said it was prepared to negotiate for the release of all prisoners. Its stated demands include an end to the war, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the creation of a Palestinian committee to govern the territory. In the past, Hamas has said it is ready to release all captives in return for a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal.
From Israel’s side, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was seriously considering Trump’s plan. The comment was taken as a sign of close coordination between Washington and Jerusalem, though Israel has not formally responded to the offer. Netanyahu has previously insisted that only a full ceasefire which ensures the return of all hostages and ends the war on Israel’s terms would be acceptable.
Israel, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with military operations in Gaza under “Operation Gideon’s Chariots II.” Evacuation orders have been issued for residents of parts of Gaza City as ground assaults expand. The Israeli military says it now controls around 40 per cent of the city. Civilians have been urged to move to the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, designated as a humanitarian zone.
Yet aid groups warn the plan leaves much of northern Gaza without food or medical access. Maps accompanying the evacuation notices reportedly show no aid facilities north of the Netzarim Corridor. Hamas has advised residents not to head south, describing it as “the path to death” and recalling past attacks on supposed safe areas. The International Committee of the Red Cross called the evacuation demands “unfeasible and incomprehensible” given the devastation and shortages of basic supplies.
The campaign in Gaza has already resulted in more than 64,000 Palestinian casualties, according to local authorities, while infrastructure across the enclave has been severely damaged. Aid groups warn of famine caused by the destruction of farmland and the blocking of supplies.
Previous attempts at brokering a truce have collapsed. In July, US and Israeli negotiators walked out of talks in Qatar, accusing Hamas of lacking commitment to a deal. Hamas had earlier accepted a Qatari and Egyptian proposal for a 60-day pause in fighting, under which 10 living hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel did not respond, with Netanyahu reported to have shifted his demands from a partial deal to a comprehensive one. Trump has indicated that some of Hamas’s requests are acceptable but has stressed the importance of remembering the October 7 attack.