"Israel has agreed to my terms, now it's time for Hamas to do the same. I have warned Hamas of the consequences of refusing this agreement. This is my ultimatum," former US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on 7/9, without further explanation.
In a subsequent statement, Hamas said it was "ready to immediately sit down at the negotiating table" after the US presented some ideas for a ceasefire agreement.
According to Axios, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff sent Hamas a new ceasefire and hostage release proposal last week. The White House has not released any details.
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Former President Trump at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, on 7/9. Photo: AP |
Former President Trump at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, on 7/9. Photo: AP
Trump and Hamas issued statements after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) demolished a third apartment building in Gaza City in recent days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military is intensifying its assault on the largest city in the Gaza Strip.
On 6/9, Israeli protesters took to the streets to urge the government to reverse its decision to occupy Gaza City, expressing concern for the fate of the hostages they believe are being held in the northern Gaza Strip city.
The 7/10/2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians. Of the 251 hostages taken, 47 are still held in Gaza with about 20 believed to be alive. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health officials.
Last month, Hamas agreed to a proposed temporary ceasefire and the phased release of hostages. However, Israel demanded the immediate release of all hostages, disarmament, relinquishment of control of the Gaza Strip, and other conditions.
Earlier in March, Trump issued a similar ultimatum to Hamas, warning "it will be over for you" if the Gaza Strip militant group did not immediately release all remaining hostages and hand over the bodies of those killed.
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Reuters)
