In a statement to CNN published Sunday, US President Donald Trump said Hamas would face "total annihilation" if it insisted on remaining in power and maintaining its grip over Gaza.
"Total annihilation!" Trump wrote to anchor Jake Tapper in a text message Saturday, responding to a question about what would happen if Hamas refused to step down.
Tapper pressed Trump about Hamas' reaction to the president's 20-point cease-fire proposal, citing comments by Senator Lindsey Graham, who said Hamas had effectively rejected the plan by conditioning the release of Israeli hostages on further negotiations while insisting on keeping its weapons and Palestinian control of Gaza. "Is he wrong?" Tapper asked. "We'll see. Only time will tell!!!" Trump replied.
The president added that he expected clarity soon on whether Hamas was genuinely committed to peace. Asked if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully supported ending the bombing campaign in Gaza and Trump's broader vision for the region, Trump replied, "Yes on Bibi."
Trump said he hoped his ceasefire plan would soon become reality, emphasizing that he was "working hard" to achieve it. Earlier in the day, he noted that Israel had agreed to the initial withdrawal line set out in his proposed ceasefire plan.
