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U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Israeli hostages in Gaza will only return when Hamas is "confronted and destroyed," as mediators in Cairo presented Hamas negotiators with a new 60-day cease-fire proposal.
"We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be. Remember, I was the one who negotiated and got hundreds of hostages freed and released into Israel (and America!)," Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday.
Trump reiterated his claims about having "eliminated" Iran's nuclear facilities, adding: "I was the one who ended 6 wars, in just 6 months. I was the one who OBLITERATED Iran’s Nuclear facilities. Play to WIN, or don’t play at all!"
Hamas negotiators in Cairo received a proposal calling for an initial 60-day truce with hostages to be released in two batches, according to a Palestinian official who spoke to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on condition of anonymity.
"The proposal is a framework agreement to launch negotiations on a permanent cease-fire," the official said, noting that "Hamas will hold internal consultations among its leadership" and with leaders of other Palestinian factions to review the text.
An Islamic Jihad source provided additional details, telling AFP the plan involves "a cease-fire agreement lasting 60 days, during which 10 Israeli hostages would be released alive, along with a number of bodies."
According to the source, "the remaining captives would be released in a second phase, with immediate negotiations to follow for a broader deal" for a permanent end to "the war and aggression" with international guarantees.
"All factions are supportive of what was presented" by the Egyptian and Qatari mediators, the source said.
U.N. Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese told an event in Rome that many people misunderstand Hamas's nature as an organization.
"I think people have no idea what Hamas is. Hamas is a political force that won the 2005 elections. This is the case whether we like it or not. It was one of the most democratic elections," Albanese said.
She emphasized that Hamas built schools, public facilities and hospitals, functioning as a de facto authority in Gaza.
"That's why when Hamas is mentioned, you must understand that it shouldn't necessarily bring to mind cruel people, people armed from head to toe, or fighters. It's not like that," Albanese stated.
She criticized the continued focus on Hamas, saying: "People keep saying 'but Hamas, Hamas, Hamas.' I think people have no idea what Hamas is."
Out of 251 hostages taken during Hamas' October 2023 attack, 49 remain in Gaza, including 27, the Israeli military says, are dead.
Efforts by mediators Egypt and Qatar, along with the United States, have failed to secure a lasting ceasefire throughout more than 22 months of war, which has created a dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian official noted that Hamas would review the mediators' new proposal through internal consultations before providing a response.
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