|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
📍 Gaza City, 5 September 2025 — Hamas has reiterated its willingness to pursue a comprehensive agreement for the release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza, following public comments by U.S. President Donald Trump urging the group to “immediately” release all captives.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “Tell Hamas to IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 Hostages (Not 2 or 5 or 7!), and things will change rapidly. IT WILL END!” The statement drew international attention and prompted a renewed response from Hamas officials.
Senior Hamas representative Izzat al-Rishq confirmed the group’s readiness to engage in a full exchange deal, involving the release of all hostages in return for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. He cited Hamas’s prior acceptance of a 60-day ceasefire proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar, which included terms for a prisoner swap and suspension of Israeli military operations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office dismissed Hamas’s statement as “spin,” reiterating that any resolution to the conflict must include the full release of hostages, disarmament of Hamas, and establishment of Israeli security control over Gaza.
Negotiations remain stalled, though diplomatic sources suggest that U.S. officials are working behind the scenes to revive talks. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate amid ongoing military operations, raising urgency around the fate of remaining hostages.
