Hamas announced it is ready to begin talks immediately after US President Donald Trump issued what he called a “final warning.” Trump urged the group to accept his proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release, stressing that this is their last chance to end the conflict.

In response, Hamas released a statement outlining its conditions. The group said it would discuss releasing all prisoners if Israel declares an official end to the war, fully withdraws from the Gaza Strip, and allows an independent Palestinian committee to govern the territory.

Moreover, Hamas stated, “Hamas welcomes any move that helps the efforts to stop the aggression against our people.” The group also confirmed that it received ideas from the U.S. and is working closely with mediators to turn them into “a comprehensive agreement that meets our demands.”

Trump Predicts Gaza Deal Soon

Meanwhile, before leaving New York for Washington, DC, Trump told reporters he believed a ceasefire deal would be reached soon. “I think we’re going to have a deal on Gaza very soon,” Trump said. “It’s a hell of a problem. It’s a problem we want to solve for the Middle East, for Israel, for everybody." He also added that, "It’s a problem we’re going to get done.”

Furthermore, Trump has made similar predictions in recent weeks, showing continued optimism about a breakthrough.

Confusion Over Hostage Numbers

However, Trump’s comments about hostages sparked concern. He said Hamas is holding “a little bit less than 20” hostages. He added, “They tend to die, even though they’re young people largely, they tend to die.”

On the other hand, Israeli authorities believe Hamas currently holds 48 hostages. They estimate that 20 are alive, 26 are dead, and two remain unconfirmed.

As a result, Trump’s lower estimate alarmed families of those missing. “We have, let’s say, 20 people and we have 38 bodies,” Trump told reporters.

Hamas Sets Clear Demands

Additionally, Hamas confirmed that it remains in constant contact with mediators. The group’s key demands include a total Israeli withdrawal, a full ceasefire, and an exchange of hostages and prisoners.

This latest statement suggests Hamas may be more open to negotiations, although significant differences still need to be resolved before any deal is finalized.