Hamas Accepts US Terms for Ceasefire Talks, Hours After Trump's "Last Warning"
US President Donald Trump's "last warning" to Hamas has prompted the militant organisation to accept US terms for ceasefire talks, offering a glimmer of hope for the release of Israeli hostages and an end to the Gaza war. According to a statement from Hamas, they have received "some ideas from the American side aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement" and are willing to negotiate for the release of prisoners and a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The statement was released just hours after Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that "The Israelis have accepted my Terms," warning Hamas that this was his "last warning" and that there would be no further negotiation.
Key Takeaways:
- Hamas has accepted US terms for ceasefire talks, just hours after Trump's "last warning".
- The negotiations will focus on the release of all prisoners in exchange for a clear declaration to end the war, a total withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the creation of a committee of independent Palestinians to run the Gaza Strip.
- The US, Qatar, and Egypt are mediating in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
- There are still 48 hostages in the Gaza Strip, with 20 believed to be alive.
- Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the local health authority controlled by Hamas.
- The conflict was triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 others.
Statistics:
- 48 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip, with 20 believed to be alive.
- 64,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict in October 2023.
- 1,200 people killed in the initial Hamas attack of October 7, 2023.
- More than 250 Palestinians abducted in the initial attack.
- The US, Qatar, and Egypt are mediating in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Sources:
- dpa
- Alliance News Ltd. (2025).