President Donald Trump warned Hamas to release hostages immediately or face severe consequences. He signaled US support for Israel’s military actions. Meanwhile, Hamas endorsed an Egyptian-backed reconstruction plan for Gaza, which was dismissed by Israel and the US, indicating a deepening crisis and differing perspectives on peace and humanitarian efforts.
On Wednesday, United States President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Hamas, calling for the immediate release of all hostages and the return of deceased individuals. This warning was shared on his Truth Social account: “Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you.” He further noted that he was supplying Israel with resources to decisively address Hamas.
In addition, Trump urged Hamas leaders to abandon Gaza, promising the people there that “a beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!” His statement was released in conjunction with reactions to a proposed Arab-backed Egyptian initiative aimed at reconstructing Gaza.
Hamas expressed its support for the reconstruction plan, emphasizing the importance of ensuring its success and complimenting Egypt’s efforts to prepare for an international conference. In their official statement, they remarked, “We welcome the Arab Summit’s plan to rebuild Gaza and call for all necessary steps to guarantee its success.” This endorsement, however, was met with skepticism from Israel and the United States.
The Israeli government reaffirmed its backing of Trump’s proposals, which advocate for the resettlement of Palestinians to neighboring Jordan and Egypt, an idea that has garnered strong disapproval from Arab nations. Israel criticized the Arab Summit’s reliance on the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA, accusing them of corruption and connections to terrorism, and they dismissed the final statement of the summit as failing to reflect the situation following the events of October 7.
The White House also opposed the reconstruction initiative, asserting that it did not adequately address the dire conditions in Gaza. A spokesperson from the US National Security Council declared, “The published Arab plan does not address the current situation; Gaza is uninhabitable…” They reiterated Trump’s intention to rebuild Gaza without Hamas, while expressing hope for further dialogue aimed at stability.
The Arab Summit’s concluding statement condemned Israel’s actions regarding humanitarian aid and criticized the blockades affecting the Gaza Strip. It highlighted the violation of ceasefire agreements and international humanitarian laws while asserting the need for Israel to respect international resolutions. In advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people, Arab leaders reiterated their commitment to a just peace based on a two-state solution and emphasized the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
President Trump’s ultimatum to Hamas underscores a strong demand for hostage release and a commitment to Israel’s military actions. While Hamas supports an Arab-led reconstruction plan for Gaza, both Israel and the United States signal their disapproval. Escalating tensions surrounding humanitarian policies and territorial rights continue to highlight the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Arab leaders advocating for a comprehensive peace settlement.
Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com
