Trump sets deadline for Hamas to release hostages
Freed Hamas hostage Keith Siegel joins 'America's Newsroom' to discuss President Donald Trump's imposed deadline on Hamas to release every hostage and to advocate for the lives of the remaining hostages.
Hamas on Friday announced it agreed to release all Israeli hostages, dead or alive, as part of President Donald Trump's Gaza peace proposal.
Leaders also indicated they were prepared to enter mediated negotiations to finalize the deal, according to a Hamas statement shared by Trump on Truth Social.
"Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East."
The announcement came hours after Trump issued a public warning to the terrorist group, noting its leaders would be "hunted down, and killed" if the remaining Israeli hostages were not released by Sunday night.
Statement from Hamas on President Donald Trump's Gaza Peace proposal Friday. (Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump)
TRUMP WARNS HAMAS WILL BE 'HUNTED DOWN, AND KILLED' UNLESS ISRAELI HOSTAGES RELEASED BY SUNDAY
Hamas said in the statement it held in-depth consultations within its leadership institutions, extensive consultations with Palestinian forces and factions, and consultations with mediators and friends to reach a "responsible position" regarding Trump's plan.
Leaders said they appreciated the president's efforts to end the war and agreed to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents.
The broader issues in Trump’s Gaza proposal, including the future of Gaza and Palestinian rights, will be addressed within a unified Palestinian national framework, with Hamas participating responsibly in the process, according to the statement.
People take part in a protest outside the U.S. Embassy Branch in Tel Aviv, demanding the end of the war and immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, July 26. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
TREY YINGST: HAMAS MUST ACCEPT TRUMP PEACE PLAN TO END WAR ONCE AND FOR ALL
Trump last week unveiled a 20-point peace plan calling for an end to Israel’s military operations, the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip under a Palestinian governing body overseen by an international coalition led by the U.S.
Though Hamas agreed to return all 46 hostages, its statement did not address the disarmament.
Israel has not yet publicly commented on the announcement.
People hold a flag above their heads calling on President Donald Trump to "Make History" at a rally in Tel Aviv, Aug. 30, pressing for the release of hostages from Gaza. (Amit Goldstein/The Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in an X post the country welcomes Hamas' announcement and supports an immediate ceasefire to "facilitate the safe and swift release of hostages and to achieve rapid results that stop the bloodshed of our Palestinian brothers in the Gaza Strip."
Qatar announced it has started coordinating with its mediation partners in Egypt, in collaboration with the U.S., to advance discussions on a plan aimed at bringing an end to the war.
French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in on social media, thanking Trump for his commitment to peace.
"The release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach! Hamas' commitment must be followed up without delay," Macron wrote in an X post. "We now have the opportunity to make decisive progress towards peace. France will play its full part in line with its efforts at the United Nations, alongside the United States, Israelis and Palestinians, and all of its international partners."
The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas says Trump's plan for the U.S. to rebuild Gaza is a "recipe for creating chaos and tension in the region." (AP/Alex Brandon/Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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The conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel—firing rockets, breaching border defenses and storming communities more than a dozen miles from Gaza.
Militants killed about 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians, and abducted roughly 250 others.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is affiliated with Hamas, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the initial attack.
The White House did not immediately provide comment, though press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a photo to X of Trump in the Oval Office, noting he will respond to Hamas’ acceptance of his peace plan.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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