U.S. President Donald Trump has once again placed himself at the center of international negotiations, claiming he played a pivotal role in pushing for peace in ongoing global conflicts.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump said Israel had agreed to his proposed ceasefire terms and issued a direct warning to Hamas:
"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!"
His comments came as families of Israeli hostages urged the U.S. president to step up efforts to secure their release.
Hostage Crisis and Ceasefire Stalemate
Hamas has previously said it agreed to a ceasefire proposal from Arab mediators, which included the return of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the reopening of border crossings. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the offer, calling it "spin," and vowed to continue military operations until Hamas is fully disarmed, all hostages are released, and Israel retains long-term security control over Gaza.
Recent weeks have seen rising tensions. The Israeli army issued new evacuation orders in Gaza City ahead of a fresh offensive, while Hamas released a propaganda video showing two hostages, heightening fears for their safety. Protests have erupted in Israel, with families accusing Netanyahu of neglecting hostage welfare in favor of military escalation.
Trump’s Envoy and Broken Talks
Last month, U.S.-brokered negotiations broke down when Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff walked away, blaming Hamas. Soon after, Hamas claimed it accepted a nearly identical ceasefire proposal to the one Israel had previously accepted, though no clear sign of resumed talks has emerged.
Both the U.S. and Israel have recently hinted at a broader deal that would involve the release of all remaining hostages at once, but such an agreement still faces major obstacles.
Humanitarian Toll of the War
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a deadly attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. While many hostages have been released during temporary ceasefires, Israel believes about 20 remain alive in Gaza.
Israel’s military campaign in response has devastated Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed so far, with women and children making up nearly half of the casualties. Israel disputes these figures, citing Hamas control over reporting, but the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate.
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