US President Donald Trump escalated tensions by warning that Hamas will face “complete obliteration” if it refuses to relinquish power in Gaza, a remark made to CNN as he continues to push a controversial ceasefire plan lacking broad support.

“Complete Obliteration!” Trump told CNN’s Jake Tapper in a text message when asked what would happen if Hamas insists on remaining in control of Gaza.

Tapper questioned Trump on Hamas’ response to his 20-point ceasefire proposal, referencing remarks by Senator Lindsey Graham, who claimed the group had effectively rejected the plan by demanding “no disarmament, keeping Gaza under Palestinian control, and tying hostage release to negotiations.”

“Is he wrong?” Tapper asked.

Trump replied, “We will find out. Only time will tell!!!” and added that he expects to know “soon” whether Hamas is genuinely committed to peace.

Support from Netanyahu

When asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully supports ending the bombing campaign in Gaza and backing Trump’s broader peace vision, the president responded simply, “Yes on Bibi.”

Trump expressed optimism that his ceasefire proposal will soon take shape, stating he is “working hard” to make it happen.

It is worth noting that the US President on Saturday welcomed what he said was a temporary halt in Israeli bombardment intended to give a captive-release and peace deal a chance to proceed, and warned Hamas that any delay would bring consequences.

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In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote: “I appreciate that Israel has temporarily stopped the bombing in order to give the Hostage release and Peace Deal a chance to be completed. Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off. I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again. Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!” 

The president framed the pause as an opportunity that must be seized immediately, stressing both urgency and accountability in his post. 

Earlier, Axios reported on an interaction between US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, citing a US official with knowledge of the call.

Netanyahu had reportedly told Trump, "This is nothing to celebrate, and that it doesn't mean anything." His comments came after Hamas' positive response to Trump's proposed plan, prompting a scold from Trump.

'The war has not ended yet': Rubio

On his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that the war on Gaza has not yet ended, even as "Israel" and Hamas both agreed to certain elements of Trump’s plan for the territory. 

“We will know very quickly whether Hamas is serious or not by how these technical talks go in terms of the logistics,” Rubio told NBC News’ Meet the Press when asked about the release of captives from Gaza.

Israeli government spokesperson Orna Edelberg Kasher reportedly announced that an Israeli negotiating team will depart for Egypt tonight to discuss the details surrounding the release of Israeli captives.

Kasher claimed the negotiations are expected to begin on Monday, adding that “there is currently no ceasefire in Gaza, but rather a temporary pause in certain strikes,” according to Reuters.

Hamas: Israeli bombing of Gaza exposes Netanyahu’s lies

Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, said that the continued Israeli bombardment and massacres against the Palestinian people in Gaza expose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s false claims of reducing military operations against civilians.

According to the statement, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continue to commit horrific crimes and massacres across the Gaza Strip. Since this morning alone, the strikes have killed 70 Palestinians, including women and children, in what the movement described as a “bloody escalation” that reveals the deceit of the occupation government.

Hamas renewed its call on the international community and Arab and Islamic nations to assume their legal and humanitarian responsibilities, urging urgent action to protect and aid the Palestinian people and to exert maximum pressure to end the ongoing genocide and starvation in Gaza.

The movement also called on free people around the world to continue and escalate their solidarity activities with the Palestinian people and to pressure the occupation to halt its crimes of genocide and collective punishment.