U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Hamas faces “complete obliteration” if it refuses to cede control of Gaza, as diplomatic efforts continue around his proposed ceasefire plan.
“Complete Obliteration!” Trump told CNN’s Jake Tapper in a text message on Saturday, when asked what would happen if Hamas insists on remaining in power.
Tapper referred to U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham’s assessment that Hamas had rejected Trump’s 20-point proposal by refusing disarmament, insisting on its continued control of Gaza, and tying the release of hostages to broader negotiations.
“Is he wrong?” Tapper asked.
“We will find out. Only time will tell!!!” Trump replied, adding that he expects clarity “soon” on whether Hamas is genuinely committed to peace.
Asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports halting the Gaza bombing campaign and backing his broader vision, Trump answered, “Yes on Bibi.”
The president expressed optimism that his ceasefire plan could become a reality, saying he is “working hard to achieve it.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC News‘ “Meet the Press” on Sunday that Hamas’s acceptance of Trump’s proposal and framework for releasing the hostages marks “an enormous achievement,” adding that the group has also agreed “in principle” to discussions on Gaza’s postwar arrangements.
He noted that a lot of international pressure is being brought to bear on Hamas, including from Muslim countries and the European Union, to realize the deal.
The first part of the deal will see the release of the 48 hostages, living and dead, and Israel’s withdrawal to the “yellow line” demarcated in Trump’s plan, which is roughly where Israeli forces were located in mid-August, Rubio said.
The second part, involving Hamas’s disarmament and demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, Rubio described as much more difficult.
Responding to a question about the plan’s reference to the possibility of “Palestinian self-determination and statehood” once the agreement’s conditions are met and the Palestinian Authority undergoes reforms, Rubio said that element was important to some of the countries signing onto the deal, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and others.
The secretary of state said the takeaway from that part of the agreement is that any Gaza transition requires a responsible governing body ready to take control—one that won’t support terrorism or threaten Israel.
He emphasized that Israel “has no interest in governing Gaza” but needs a stable, nonviolent entity to hand it over to, adding that such a group “doesn’t exist right now” and must be built to secure lasting peace and protect Israel’s security.
The number one priority is the release of the hostages, Rubio concluded. “Let’s get that piece done. It’s the most important. And then we can move to phase two. And it’ll give momentum to the rest of the effort,” he said.
