Israel
Release of all hostages could be agreed ‘very soon’ after Trump issues ‘last warning’ to Hamas
However, the US president indicated that some of the remaining captives may have ‘recently died’
September 8, 2025 09:28
However, the US president indicated that some of the remaining captives may have ‘recently died’
September 8, 2025 09:28US President Trump has indicated that a hostage deal could be agreed “very soon”.
“I think we’re going to have a deal in Gaza very soon,” he told reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
A new proposal has been submitted to Hamas, which subsequently said it was “ready to immediately sit at the negotiating table to discuss the release of all prisoners in exchange for a clear declaration to end the war, a total withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and creation of a committee of independent Palestinians to run the Gaza Strip”.
However, Trump also suggested that some of the captives remaining in Gaza may have "recently died".
Per the latest estimates, Hamas is still holding 48 captives, with as many as 20 believed to be living.
Seemingly overstating the official number, the president told reporters: "You've got 20, plus you've got about 38 dead people. Young, beautiful, dead people.
"You have many dead people that are coming out as part of the deal.
"It’s 20 people, but I think of the 20, there could be some that have recently died is what I’m hearing. I hope that’s wrong. But you have over 30 bodies in this negotiation."
Following his comments, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum thanked him and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff "for their determination, courage and compassion in advancing the negotiations".
It comes after Trump issued a "last warning" to Hamas over the ongoing negotiations.
He wrote on Truth Social: "Everyone wants the hostages HOME. Everyone wants this war to end!
"It is time for Hamas to accept [my terms] as well.
"I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning. There will not be another one."
These terms reportedly include the release of all hostages on day one of a prospective truce, in return for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel - including hundreds convicted of terror offences.
This would result in the cancellation of the IDF's planned occupation of Gaza City and facilitate talks about a permanent end to the war.
Latest reports suggest that Hamas is prepared to examine the proposal, which reportedly includes "significant guarantees" against Israel resuming the war if it is accepted.
The Forum welcomed the proposal, calling it a “real potential breakthrough”.
“The agreement will advance a broad regional settlement, will result in the release of all hostages, and will allow soldiers and reservists to return home to rebuild their families and their livelihoods,” it said. “The agreement paves the way for Israel’s security and will end a perpetual war that has lasted almost two years.”
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