“It’s Now or Never”: Massive Rally in Israel Demands Safe Return of Gaza Hostages

Trump Issues Ultimatum to Hamas: “Complete Obliteration” If Gaza Hostages Not Released.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a stark warning to Hamas, stating the militant group would face “complete obliteration” if it fails to comply with his proposed peace plan for Gaza. The warning came just hours before a 6 pm Washington deadline, urging Hamas to release Israeli hostages and end hostilities.

US-Israel Peace Initiative

Trump confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports the broader US-led initiative to halt the two-year-long Gaza conflict. Speaking to CNN, the President said,

“Yes on Bibi,”
and stressed that he expects clarity soon on whether Hamas will genuinely pursue peace.

“This is their last chance. There will be peace one way or another,” Trump said, emphasizing the urgency of the decision.

The peace plan, part of Trump’s 20-point proposal, calls for:

An immediate cessation of hostilities

The establishment of a temporary governing board to oversee Gaza’s postwar transition, chaired by Trump and including international figures like former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair

Ensuring no displacement of Gaza residents if both Israel and Hamas agree to the terms

Status of Hostage Negotiations

While recent reports suggest Hamas has agreed in principle to the framework for releasing hostages, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that the conflict “has not yet” concluded. Speaking to NBC’s Meet the Press, Rubio said:

“They’ve agreed in principle to the concept of what happens next,”
but stressed that several critical issues remain unresolved.

Rubio further noted in a Fox News interview that the situation remains uncertain, with technical talks underway to assess Hamas’s seriousness. The immediate goal, he said, is the safe release of all hostages in exchange for Israel pulling back to its mid-August positions in Gaza, referred to as the “yellow line.”

The coming hours are expected to be decisive, as the Trump administration pushes for a resolution to one of the most protracted and volatile conflicts in the region, balancing hostage safety with the broader aim of establishing lasting peace in Gaza.