Amidst ongoing efforts to resolve the Gaza conflict, former U.S. President Donald Trump is actively involved in pushing for a resolution. Trump has been issuing repeated warnings to Hamas. A crucial meeting is slated for Monday in Egypt, where representatives from Hamas, Israel, and the United States will convene to discuss a ceasefire agreement. Ahead of this meeting, Trump issued a strong call for all parties in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations to expedite their efforts.
Trump urged all negotiators to ‘move fast’ to conclude the Gaza war, which has persisted for nearly two years. This high-stakes meeting is scheduled to take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, a resort city in Egypt.
Reports indicate positive responses from both Hamas and Israel to Trump’s proposed peace deal. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump shared that he has had very positive conversations this week with Hamas and international partners. These talks have centered on the release of hostages, ending the war in Gaza, and achieving long-term peace in the Middle East. He underscored that the discussions have been fruitful and are advancing swiftly. Technical teams are scheduled to meet again in Egypt on Monday to finalize and clarify key points. Trump emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging everyone to ‘move fast’ because time is critical. He warned of potential bloodshed if the parties fail to act promptly.
Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader, led a delegation to Egypt on Sunday to engage in indirect talks with Israel. These discussions are focused on establishing a ceasefire in Gaza and securing the release of hostages. A senior Hamas official expressed their eagerness to end the war and begin the immediate process of releasing prisoners, contingent on the conditions on the ground. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that he hopes the release of hostages can happen within the coming days.
Trump had previously asked Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza. However, Israeli attacks continued. On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio appealed to Israel to stop the bombing of Gaza. According to him, the release of hostages cannot be achieved amid ongoing bombings. However, Gaza’s Civil Defense Agency reported that at least 20 people lost their lives in the Israeli attacks on Sunday.
Trump previously set a deadline for Hamas to accept the peace plan by 6 p.m. on Sunday. He warned that failure to reach a final agreement would result in Hamas facing unprecedented consequences.