by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff
JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he believes a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement in Gaza could be reached “very soon,” while issuing what he called a final ultimatum to Hamas.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Trump described the Gaza conflict as “a h-ll of a problem,” but stressed his determination to resolve it “for the Middle East, for Israel, for everybody.” He added that fewer than 20 hostages may remain alive, as “they tend to die,” yet insisted, “I think we’re going to get them all.”
Earlier in the day, Trump declared in a Truth Social post that Israel had accepted his U.S.-backed plan and warned Hamas it must follow suit: “Everyone wants the hostages HOME. Everyone wants this war to end! … I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”
Details of the Proposal
The plan, sources told The Jerusalem Post, calls for Hamas to release all 48 hostages–both the living and the dead–on the first day of a truce. In return, Israel would halt its planned offensive into Gaza City, free between 2,000 and 3,000 Palestinian security prisoners (including some convicted of murder), and begin talks to end the war under Trump’s personal oversight.
The Israel Defense Forces would retain a limited presence in designated zones of Gaza, but not proceed with the citywide operation. Negotiations would continue under the guarantee that fighting would not resume until a resolution was reached.
Israeli officials confirmed the proposal was under “very serious consideration,” though sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted Hamas was unlikely to accept, as surrendering hostages up front would forfeit its bargaining power.
Hamas Response
Hamas released a statement late Sunday saying it was ready “to immediately sit at the negotiating table” in exchange for a declaration of the war’s end, full Israeli withdrawal, and the formation of a Palestinian-led governing committee for Gaza. According to Sky News Arabia, Hamas said it was viewing Trump’s plan with “a positive spirit” and “great responsibility.”
Families of Hostages React
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called the proposal a “true breakthrough,” praising Trump’s unprecedented personal guarantee as a “historic step.” In a statement, the group urged Israel to fully support the plan, saying it could “end a war that has dragged on for nearly two years” while ensuring the return of hostages “–the living for rehabilitation, and the fallen for a dignified burial.”
A Blood Moon Over Israel
As negotiations hung in the balance, Israelis gathered under the night sky to witness a rare total lunar eclipse. Families camped out across the country to watch the “blood moon,” a crimson spectacle also visible across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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