Trump Warns Hamas: Cede Power or Face

In a stark ultimatum issued just as critical ceasefire negotiations are set to commence, President Donald Trump declared that Hamas faces “complete obliteration” if the group refuses to relinquish power and control of Gaza. The statement, made to CNN in a text message interview on Saturday, October 4, 2025, dramatically raises the stakes for indirect talks scheduled to begin Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. These negotiations represent the most significant diplomatic effort to date to end the nearly two-year-long war that has devastated the Gaza Strip and claimed tens of thousands of lives.

President Trump's blunt warning underscores the central American and Israeli demand that any lasting peace requires the complete removal of Hamas from its governing role, a condition the militant group has not fully accepted.

The high-stakes talks in Egypt will bring together delegations from Israel and Hamas, with the United States, Egypt, and Qatar mediating the indirect discussions. The American push is being spearheaded by President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, who have been dispatched to the region to help finalize the deal. The negotiations are centered on a comprehensive 20-point proposal drafted by the U.S. which has garnered widespread international support.

The plan’s first phase calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and an initial withdrawal of Israeli forces to a pre-determined line. While Hamas issued a statement on Friday agreeing to release hostages and hand over Gaza's administration to a committee of independent technocrats, it stopped short of agreeing to disarm and sought further negotiations on the long-term political future of the territory.

Despite the diplomatic momentum and a call from President Trump for Israel to halt its attacks, Israeli military operations continued over the weekend, with health officials in Gaza reporting at least 24 Palestinians killed in strikes on Sunday.

The international community has largely rallied behind the American proposal, with leaders from the European Union, United Kingdom, China, Turkey, and key Arab states hailing it as a pivotal opportunity to end the catastrophic conflict. In a social media post, Trump stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to the plan, a sentiment he confirmed to CNN by saying "Yes on Bibi."

However, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged on Sunday that while the logistics for the initial hostage release are "90% worked out," the second phase—concerning Gaza's future governance and the disarmament of militant groups—will be "even harder."

As negotiators converge, the president's "obliteration" threat hangs over the proceedings, framing the talks not just as a path to peace, but as a final chance for Hamas to avoid a devastating alternative.

• Background on the Ceasefire Proposal: The 20-point plan put forth by the Trump administration is a multi-stage framework aimed at a definitive end to the conflict. Its core components include an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the release of the estimated 48 remaining Israeli hostages (of whom around 20 are believed to be alive) in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the complete disarmament of Hamas.
• The plan also mandates a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and outlines a massive international effort for the reconstruction and redevelopment of the war-torn enclave, explicitly stating there will be no forced displacement of Palestinians.
• Key Stakeholders and Their Positions: The talks involve multiple parties with complex interests. The Trump administration is aggressively pushing for a deal, with the president personally warning Hamas to "move quickly, or else all bets will be off."
• Israel's government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, has officially accepted the framework, including an "initial withdrawal line," but faces pressure from far-right coalition partners who oppose ending the war. Hamas, represented by senior official Khalil al-Hayya, has accepted key aspects like releasing hostages and ceding administrative control but remains ambiguous on disarmament and the final governance structure. Egypt and Qatar are acting as crucial mediators, hosting the talks and facilitating communication.
• The Sticking Point of Post-War Governance: A major point of contention is the future administration of Gaza. The U.S. plan proposes a transitional international body, referred to as the "Board of Peace," which would be overseen by President Trump and could include figures like former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
• Hamas has countered this by stating its readiness to hand over administration to a "Palestinian body of independents [technocrats] based on Palestinian national consensus and with Arab and Islamic support," signaling a desire to keep governance within a Palestinian and regional framework rather than a Western-led one.
• Widespread International Consensus: The U.S.-led peace initiative has received an unusually broad chorus of international praise. The European Commission, France, Germany, and the UK have all strongly welcomed the plan, urging all parties to seize the opportunity.
• Regional powers, including Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, have also voiced their support, as have countries like China and India, creating significant global pressure on both Israel and Hamas to finalize an agreement. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed encouragement, urging the parties to end the tragic conflict.
• The Devastating Humanitarian Context: The urgency of the talks is underscored by the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza after nearly two years of war. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, the conflict, which began in October 2023, has killed at least 67,139 people and wounded over 169,000.
• Reports from the ground describe widespread destruction, a collapsed healthcare system, and severe shortages of food and basic necessities, with the UN warning of famine-like conditions and a crisis for newborns.
• Timeline of a Tense Weekend: Events have unfolded rapidly. On Friday, October 3rd, Hamas delivered its positive, though qualified, response to the 20-point plan. President Trump welcomed the move and called on Israel to "immediately stop bombing Gaza."
• On Saturday, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that Israel had agreed to an "initial withdrawal line" and that a ceasefire would be "IMMEDIATELY effective" once Hamas confirms. This was followed by his "complete obliteration" warning to CNN, setting a tense backdrop for the talks beginning Monday, October 6th.
• Potential Future Developments: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has outlined a two-phase process. The first, focused on the hostage release and an Israeli pullback, is considered close to being finalized.
• The second, much more complex phase involves creating a new, non-Hamas Palestinian leadership, ensuring the demobilization of militant groups, and beginning reconstruction. Former U.S. Ambassador Thomas Pickering described the plan as hopeful but "somewhat unrealistic" given the immense difficulty of negotiating the numerous points, highlighting the long and uncertain road ahead even if an initial deal is reached.