"Impossible": Hamas's Response to Trump's New Hostage Deal
In response to a new proposal by President Donald Trump for a comprehensive hostage deal, Hamas has stated that it cannot release all 48 hostages, living and deceased, in a single phase on the first day of a ceasefire.
A new hostage deal proposed by President Donald Trump is facing immediate obstacles from Hamas. The proposal, which calls for the release of all 48 hostages on the first day in exchange for thousands of terrorists, was met with resistance from Hamas officials who claimed it would be "impossible" to fulfill the terms in a single phase.
In an interview with the Saudi newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, Hamas sources stated that they have informed mediators that the release of all hostages and their remains in one go is logistically unfeasible. They explained that some hostages were killed in areas that would require a complete cessation of fire by the IDF to allow for their remains to be recovered from "under the rubble or from where they were buried."
Hamas stated that it would be willing to release a "number of living hostages on the first day," with a larger group of living and deceased hostages to follow on a later date to be agreed upon. They insisted that this was not a "precondition for negotiations," but rather a practical necessity to "create ground conditions that allow for the free operation of rescuing the hostages."
Trump's proposal also includes the cancellation of a planned Israeli operation in Gaza City. It suggests that a U.S.-led negotiation to end the war would begin, and as long as these talks are ongoing, Israel would not be permitted to resume fighting. However, Hamas sources expressed reservations, claiming the proposal does not address the withdrawal of IDF forces from key routes, such as the Philadelphi Axis, or the reopening of the Rafah crossing for two-way traffic.
Meanwhile, Israel is reportedly taking the proposal seriously, with sources close to the Prime Minister stating, "Israel is considering President Trump's proposal very seriously; it is likely that Hamas will continue its refusal." Trump himself addressed the situation, warning Hamas of the consequences if it did not agree to the deal. He claimed that Israel had already given its consent to the proposal, despite the Israeli Prime Minister's more cautious statement, and issued a final warning to the terror group, stating, "This is my final warning. There will not be another one."