Trump Issues Final Warning to Hamas Over Hostages in Gaza
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday gave what he described as his “final warning” to Hamas, urging the Palestinian group to agree to a deal to release hostages held in Gaza.
“The Israelis have accepted my terms. Now it’s time for Hamas to do the same,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not complying. This is my last warning—there will not be another one!”
According to Israeli news outlet N12, Trump has proposed a ceasefire plan under which Hamas would release all 48 remaining hostages on the first day of a truce. In return, thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel would be freed, and both sides would negotiate a long-term ceasefire. Israeli officials have confirmed that the proposal is under serious consideration.
Trump also emphasized that negotiations with Hamas are ongoing. He warned that the situation could become “tough and nasty” if hostages are not released, noting that some of Hamas’s requests were reasonable but did not provide further details.
Hamas captured over 250 hostages during an October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Worsens
The conflict has left Gaza in crisis, with tens of thousands of deaths and massive displacement. Children are among the most affected, facing extreme shortages of food, water, and medical care.
Tess Ingram, Communications Manager for UNICEF in the Middle East and North Africa, recently reported from Gaza City that the situation is dire. She described the city as “a place of fear and constant uncertainty,” where almost one million people struggle to survive amid collapsing essential services.
Out of 92 UNICEF-supported nutrition centers, only 44 are still operational, leaving thousands of malnourished children without treatment. Hospitals are overwhelmed, with only 11 still partially functioning and five neonatal intensive care units available. Some incubators are operating at double capacity, endangering newborns.
Children Suffer the Most
Families are surviving on minimal rations, often prioritizing children’s nutrition over their own. One mother, Nesma, returned to northern Gaza with her children after temporary relief earlier this year. Tragically, her two-year-old daughter, Jouri, died from malnutrition, while her other daughter, Jana, remains critically ill.
Ingram stressed that without immediate humanitarian aid, more children will face preventable deaths from hunger and malnutrition.
Ongoing Aid Efforts
UNICEF continues to provide crucial support. In recent weeks, it supplied therapeutic food to treat over 3,000 severely malnourished children. Additional assistance included food for more than 1,400 infants, high-energy biscuits for 4,600 pregnant and breastfeeding women, safe drinking water, and temporary learning centers for displaced children.
UNICEF called on the international community to act swiftly, emphasizing that urgent intervention can save thousands of vulnerable children in Gaza.