In a week marked by escalating violence and diplomatic brinkmanship, the long-running Gaza conflict took on new urgency as United States President Donald Trump issued what he called a "last warning" to Hamas, demanding the release of remaining hostages and acceptance of U.S.-brokered terms for a ceasefire. The warning came as Israel endured a deadly terrorist attack in Jerusalem and intensified its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, while regional actors and civilians braced for what could be a decisive turn in the 23-month war.
Monday morning in Jerusalem brought fresh tragedy: two Palestinian assailants boarded a city bus, opening fire and killing at least five Israelis while injuring nearly twenty more before being eliminated by security forces, according to CBN News. The attack followed a drone strike on Sunday, launched by Houthi militants from Yemen, which struck Ramon Airport in southern Israel. Five people were wounded by shrapnel, but the airport quickly resumed operations, underscoring both the resilience and the constant threat faced by Israelis in recent months.
Against this backdrop of violence, President Trump told reporters on Sunday evening that his administration was "working on a solution that may be very good" to end the war and free the hostages. "We’re trying to get it ended, get the hostages back," Trump said, as reported by The Guardian. "You’ll be hearing about it pretty soon." He went on to post on Truth Social, "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!"
Trump, who has previously issued similar warnings and predictions of a swift resolution, did not publicly specify the details of his terms. However, Israeli media, including Channel 12 and The Times of Israel, reported that the proposal would see all remaining hostages—believed to number around 48 to 50, with only 20 still thought to be alive—released on the first day of a ceasefire. In exchange, thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention would be freed, Israel would halt its military operation to capture Gaza City, and formal negotiations to end the war would commence under Trump’s personal oversight.
Hamas quickly responded, confirming it had received "ideas" from the American side and declaring its willingness to negotiate. In a statement quoted by multiple outlets, the group said, "Hamas welcomes any initiative that helps in the efforts to stop the aggression against our people. We affirm our immediate readiness to sit at the negotiation table to discuss the release of all prisoners in exchange for a clear declaration to end the war, the full withdrawal from Gaza, and the formation of a committee to manage Gaza from Palestinian independents, who will immediately begin their work."
Despite the apparent movement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shown little inclination toward phased deals. He has consistently demanded the release of all hostages as a precondition for any ceasefire and insisted that only a full military victory over Hamas would bring the captives home. "If I have to choose between victory over our enemies and bad propaganda against us, I choose victory over our enemies, rather than the opposite," Netanyahu declared, as cited by CBN News. He also accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields, stating, "To remain there so that they can serve as a human shield for them… we only recently saw that it shoots women and children in the legs and, if necessary, shoots them."
As diplomatic efforts played out, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ramped up their offensive in Gaza, leveling a second high-rise tower in as many days. The military asserted these buildings were being used as Hamas headquarters, a claim denied by the group. According to the Associated Press, the tower housed hundreds of displaced Palestinians, who were given just 20 minutes to evacuate before warplanes struck. The IDF has warned civilians to flee Gaza City, and about 100,000 Gazans have reportedly evacuated, though Netanyahu claims Hamas is trying to prevent them from leaving.
The human cost of the conflict continues to mount. As reported by Al Jazeera, Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians, triggered a man-made famine, and devastated much of the territory. Legal scholars and rights groups have described the offensive as a genocide, while Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on Palestinian rights organizations cooperating with the International Criminal Court’s investigation into Israeli abuses. Trump has also called for the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza, envisioning the enclave as a "Riviera of the Middle East," a plan critics have denounced as ethnic cleansing. Netanyahu has backed the mass displacement proposal, framing it as voluntary, though legal experts dispute the notion that people can choose freely under bombardment and siege.
Meanwhile, the hostage crisis has remained a focal point for both the U.S. and Israel. Fox News reported that U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, working closely with Trump, blamed Hamas entirely for the delay in releasing hostages, stating, "There’s been a deal on the table for the last six or seven weeks that would have released 10 of the hostages out of the 20 who we think are alive." Witkoff added that he and Trump wanted the hostages home as soon as possible, but negotiations had stalled due to what they saw as Hamas’s lack of good faith.
Despite the hardline rhetoric from both sides, the prospect of a ceasefire, even a temporary one, has not been entirely dismissed. Hamas accepted a 60-day truce proposal on August 18, but Israel has yet to respond. Trump, for his part, continues to project optimism, telling reporters, "I think we’re going to get them all," referring to the hostages. He acknowledged that some may have already died, but emphasized the importance of returning their bodies to their families.
As the war grinds on, the diplomatic and humanitarian stakes grow ever higher. Trump’s "last warning" to Hamas, coupled with Israel’s intensifying military campaign and the ongoing suffering of civilians, has set the stage for a critical juncture in the conflict. Whether this moment leads to breakthrough or further tragedy remains to be seen, but all eyes are now on the region’s leaders and the fate of those still trapped in the crossfire.
For now, the world waits—watching, hoping, and fearing what the next days might bring to a region long accustomed to heartbreak and uncertainty.