Trump issues 'final warning' as he gives major update over war in Gaza

Donald Trump has issued a thinly-veiled threat to Hamas as he declared Israel had accepted his ceasefire conditions. Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, he wrote on Sunday evening: "Everyone wants the Hostages HOME. Everyone wants this War to end! The Israelis have accepted my Terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well.

"I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning, there will not be another one! Thank you for your attention to this matter." His warning comes after the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza urged the US president to speed up efforts to secure their release.

A lasting truce between Israel and Hamas has so far proven elusive. Hamas has said it accepted a ceasefire proposal from Arab mediators last month.

Israel has not yet responded to that offer. Instead, it has vowed to continue the war until Hamas disarms and releases all the remaining hostages.

Israel has also insisted on retaining open-ended security control of Gaza, a condition which is deemed not acceptable to Hamas.

The Israeli army issued evacuation orders and targeted tower blocks in Gaza City on Saturday (September 6), calling on Palestinians to move to the south of the Gaza Strip as it escalates operations ahead of a new offensive to seize the city of almost one million.

Israelis have staged widespread protests over the military's fresh assault on Gaza City, fearing it will further endanger the remaining hostages held in the strip, 20 of whom Israel believes are alive.

Those fears grew on Friday when Hamas released a propaganda video showing two hostages, Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, being held in Gaza City.

Families of the hostages have accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to prioritise the safety of their loved ones and called on Mr Trump to help accelerate the release of Israelis in Hamas captivity.

Hamas released a statement on Wednesday saying it was open to returning all 48 hostages it still holds in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all of Gaza, the opening of border crossings and a start to the rebuilding the territory.

In its rejection of the offer, Mr Netanyahu's office described it as "spin" and said the war would continue until all the hostages are returned, Hamas is disarmed and Israel has full security control of the territory, with its administration delegated to others.

Talks on a temporary ceasefire which would have seen some of the hostages returned broke down last month when Mr Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff walked away, blaming Hamas.

The militant group later accepted a proposal which Hamas and Arab mediators said was almost identical to an earlier one accepted by Israel, but there had been no public indication talks have resumed.

Israel and the US have recently hinted at pursuing a comprehensive deal in which all the remaining hostages would be released at once.

The Israel-Gaza war erupted when Hamas-led militants invaded southern Israel and killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 others on October 7, 2023. Most have since been released in ceasefires or other agreements.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas-run Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The ministry claims women and children make up around half of the dead.