US President Donald Trump has said his administration is working towards a solution that could be good for Gaza, hours after issuing what he called a "final warning" to Hamas, reports Al Jazeera on Monday.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday in Washington, DC, after a brief visit to New York, Trump described the situation in Gaza — including Hamas's holding of Israeli captives — as a "hell of a problem."
"We're working on a solution that may be very good," he said, adding, "It's a problem we want to solve for the Middle East, for Israel, for everybody. But it's a problem we're going to get done".
"You'll be hearing about it pretty soon. We're trying to get it ended, get the hostages back," he further said.
Earlier that day, Trump revealed he had proposed a new plan to end the conflict, claiming that Israel had accepted the terms. He warned Hamas of the "consequences" of rejecting the offer and called it his "last warning."
Throughout the 23-month war, US officials have time and again claimed that Israel was on board with ceasefire efforts, even as Israeli leaders continued to vow an expanded military campaign, which leading rights groups and scholars have characterised as a genocide.
"Everyone wants the Hostages HOME. Everyone wants this War to end!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
"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!"
While there was no immediate response from Israel on Trump's latest bid to a ceasefire, The Times of Israel reported that the Israeli government was "seriously considering" the proposal, referring to a source close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, Hamas confirmed receiving "ideas" from the US for ending the war.
"Hamas welcomes any initiative that helps in the efforts to stop the aggression against our people," the group said.
"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."
The Palestinian group is thought to be holding some 50 captives, of whom 20 are still believed to be alive.
Trump's proposal comes as Israel intensifies its offensive to capture Gaza City, bombarding high rises in an effort to seize the largest urban centre.
Trump has been a strong backer of Israel throughout the war. In past, he has also called for the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza and proposed transforming the territory into a US-controlled "Riviera of the Middle East".
To date, Israel's military onslaught has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians, devastated most of Gaza's infrastructure, and triggered a man-made famine across the enclave.
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