Trump Urges Immediate Action on Gaza Peace Plan: "Massive Bloodshed Will Follow" Delays

President Donald Trump issued an urgent appeal to Israel and Hamas on Monday to accelerate progress on the Gaza peace plan, cautioning that delays could result in "massive bloodshed." His statement comes as the parties prepare for crucial negotiations in Egypt amid growing hopes for a potential ceasefire agreement.

"I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST. I will continue to monitor this centuries-old 'conflict.' TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW - SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE!" Trump declared on his Truth Social platform.

The Republican President indicated that recent diplomatic efforts have yielded promising results, noting "very positive discussions with Hamas, and Countries from all over the World (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else) this weekend" focused on hostage release, ending hostilities in Gaza, and establishing lasting peace in the Middle East.

"These talks have been very successful, and proceeding rapidly. The technical teams will again meet Monday, in Egypt, to work through and clarify the final details," Trump stated.

The initial phase of the peace plan is expected to prioritize the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Hamas expressed partial acceptance of Trump's peace proposal on Friday night, agreeing to provisions including war termination, Israeli withdrawal, hostage and prisoner exchanges, humanitarian aid delivery, and opposition to Palestinian displacement from Gaza. This followed the President's ultimatum that Hamas accept his plan or face "all hell."

Trump subsequently warned Hamas to "move quickly" toward a peace agreement with Israel or "risk further devastation" in Gaza, while simultaneously cautioning Israel against continued bombing operations. Despite this warning, Israel reportedly conducted airstrikes in Gaza hours later, resulting in six casualties. The following day, Trump claimed Israel had agreed to initial withdrawal parameters and that a ceasefire would follow Hamas' confirmation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed optimism about an imminent hostage release, stating: "My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, we are on the verge of a very great achievement. This is still not final. We are working on it diligently, and I hope that in the coming days, still during the holiday of Sukkot, I will be able to announce to you the return of all our hostages, the living and the dead. At the same time, the IDF remains in the depths of the Gaza Strip and in the areas controlling it."

However, Netanyahu firmly committed to "disarm" Hamas "either the easy or the hard way" and indicated Israel would maintain some military presence in Gaza, contrary to Hamas' longstanding demands for complete withdrawal.

"Israel's military will continue to hold territories it controls in Gaza, and Hamas will be disarmed in the plan's second phase, diplomatically, or through a military path by us. You heard Trump, he will not accept additional delay. In the second phase, Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarised. This will happen either diplomatically through Trump's plan or militarily by us. This will happen either the easy way or the hard way," the Israeli Prime Minister declared.