Trump sends Hamas brutal 5-word warning as ceasefire and hostage release talks begin

Donald Trump has sent a brutal 5-word warning to Hamas, as he seeks a quick conclusion to peace talks over Gaza. It comes as a delegation from Hamas prepares to leave for Cairo in Egypt to hold talks on a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement based on Trump's proposal.

The Palestinian militia issued a statement on Friday night in which it said it was ready to release all 48 remaining hostages and surrender governing power of the Gaza Strip. The group, however, indicated further negotiations were necessary on other points of the plan and did not say whether it was prepared to hand over its weapons. The US President welcomed the decision by Hamas on Friday and ordered Israel to immediately "stop the bombing" in Gaza.

In a further post to his Truth Social website on Saturday, the US President thanked Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for temporarily stopping the bombing to give peace talks a chance.

He then turned his attention to Hamas, telling the group they "must move quickly, or else all bets will be off." But in a five-word warning, the US President ominously added: "I will not tolerate delay."

He concluded: "Let's get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!"

Meanwhile, reports are emerging that delegations from Israel and Hamas will hold indirect meetings in Cairo on Sunday to prepare the ground for the release of the remaining hostages and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.

According to Trump's plan, all hostages - dead or alive - must be released "within 72 hours" of Israel publicly accepting the deal.

For its part, Israel is required to release 250 Palestinians currently serving life sentences and another 1,700 in Gaza detained since the horrific October 7, 2023 attacks.

Trump's 20-point plan also envisages the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and a transitional authority of the strip led by the US President himself.

Hamas will not be permitted any role, "directly or indirectly", in the future governance of the territory.

Notably, Israel will not be allowed to occupy or annex the territory, nor will anyone be forced to leave Gaza.