Trump urges Israel, Hamas to 'move fast' on Gaza peace plan
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US President Donald Trump on Monday called on Israel and Hamas to act quickly on the Gaza peace plan, warning that any delay could result in “massive bloodshed.”
His statement came as delegations from both sides were scheduled to meet in Egypt for negotiations on a possible ceasefire.
“I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST. I will continue to monitor this centuries-old ‘conflict.’ TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW - SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Trump said that there had been positive discussions with Hamas and countries from around the world, including Arab and Muslim nations, about releasing the hostages, ending the war in Gaza, and, more importantly, achieving long-sought peace in the Middle East. He added that the talks had been very successful and were proceeding rapidly, and that the technical teams would meet again in Egypt on Monday to work through and clarify the final details.
The first phase of the plan is expected to focus on the release of hostages. Hamas accepted parts of Trump’s proposal on Friday night, including Israel’s withdrawal, ending the war, release of hostages and Palestinian captives, aid and recovery measures, and rejection of Palestinian expulsion from Gaza. The acceptance followed Trump’s ultimatum that Hamas either agree to his plan or face “all hell.”
Trump later urged Hamas to “move quickly” and agree to peace or “risk further devastation” in Gaza. He also pressed Israel to halt airstrikes. However, hours after his warning, Israel reportedly carried out strikes in Gaza, killing six people. A day later, Trump claimed Israel had accepted the initial withdrawal line and said that a ceasefire would follow Hamas’ confirmation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message to citizens, said he hoped to announce the release of hostages soon. He told them that they were on the verge of a very great achievement, though it was not yet final, and that efforts were continuing diligently. He expressed hope that in the coming days, during the holiday of Sukkot, he would be able to announce the return of all the hostages, both living and dead. At the same time, he noted that the IDF remained in the depths of the Gaza Strip and in the areas controlling it.
Netanyahu also vowed to disarm Hamas. He said that Israel’s military would continue to hold the territories it controlled in Gaza and that Hamas would be disarmed in the plan’s second phase, either diplomatically or through a military path by Israel. He reminded that Trump had made it clear he would not accept any additional delay. He stressed that in the second phase, Hamas would be disarmed and Gaza would be demilitarised, and that this would happen either diplomatically through Trump’s plan or militarily by Israel, in what he described as either the easy way or the hard way.