US President Donald Trump sounds off on Israel and Iran before boarding Marine One at the White House, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The deal was greeted with skepticism by an official who said giving up hostages at the outset would leave Hamas without leverage if negotiations break down.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Israel has agreed to a new American proposal to free hostages from Gaza, while issuing what he called a “final warning” to Hamas.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Everyone wants the Hostages HOME. Everyone wants this War to end! The Israelis have accepted my Terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well. I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning, there will not be another one! Thank you for your attention to this matter. DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
The proposal, relayed to Hamas in recent days through mediators Gershon Baskin and Bishara Bahbah, sets out a broad arrangement intended to bring the hostages back and bring the war to a conclusion.
It calls for Hamas to release all 48 captives — both the living and the bodies of those killed — immediately.
In exchange, Trump would pledge personally that hostilities will not resume while negotiations continue.
The framework also envisions freeing 2,000 to 3,000 Palestinian security prisoners, including convicted killers; canceling Israel’s planned offensive in Gaza City; and opening direct talks to end the war.
Israeli forces would remain deployed in select areas of Gaza but on a reduced scale.
Officials and analysts said Hamas is unlikely to accept such terms.
One source told The Jerusalem Post that giving up hostages at the outset would leave Hamas without leverage if negotiations break down.
A senior adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is weighing the plan seriously while recognizing the chances of Hamas rejecting it.
Families of the captives praised the proposal, calling it a “historic step” that could secure the release of all hostages, pause the war, and allow soldiers to return home.
They urged Israel’s leadership to back Trump’s initiative fully until every captive — living or dead — is brought back.
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