Trump says Gaza ceasefire deal very close; Israel threatens Hamas with 'annihilation'
Iran Press TV
Saturday, 31 May 2025 12:35 AM
Israel says the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas must accept a ceasefire proposal submitted by US envoy Steve Witkoff or "be annihilated", as US President Donald Trump claims that a ceasefire agreement is "very close."
In a statement, Israeli minister of military affairs Israel Katz said the military was acting in Gaza "with full force", adding that Hamas "will now be forced to choose: accept the terms of the 'Witkoff Deal' for the release of the hostages, or be annihilated."
Hamas on Friday said it was still reviewing the US proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, where dozens of people were killed in new Israeli air strikes, according to hospital officials.
Trump on Friday said he believes an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was "very close."
"We'll let you know about it during the day or maybe tomorrow. And we have a chance of that," Trump told reporters during a joint news conference with Elon Musk at the White House.
Trump's comments came after the White House announced Thursday that Israel has accepted a new US proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas.
US negotiators have not publicized the terms of the proposed deal. But reports say it stipulates a 60-day pause in Israeli attacks and guarantees serious negotiations leading to a long-term truce.
It also calls for assurances that Israel will not resume bombings after the release of captives, as it did in March.
Hamas has repeatedly stated that it would only agree to a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Despite global outcry to end the "genocidal" assault on the people of Gaza, the Israeli regime recently approved a plan that could lead to the capture of the "entire Gaza Strip."
Arab states have rejected the plan, and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called it ethnic cleansing.
Most Gazans have been displaced at least once during 19 months of war between Israel and Hamas.
Israel blocked all aid from entering Gaza on March 2, before resuming its campaign of genocide on March 18 after talks to prolong a six-week ceasefire collapsed.
The Israeli army has killed 3,986 Palestinians and wounded 11,451 others since violating the ceasefire agreement on March 18.
At least 54,249 Palestinians have been killed and 123,492 wounded since the start of Israel's war on Gaza.
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