WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump warned of “complete obliteration” if Hamas insists on staying in power in Gaza, as negotiations to end the bloody war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group are set for this week.

Hamas said on Oct. 3 it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan and is expected to enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details in Egypt.

Gaza would also be redeveloped, according to the proposal text, with the option for Palestinians who want to remain in the country to stay. Hamas fighters would get amnesty and the territory would come under temporary governance by a new, Palestinian committee that would be overseen by a "Board of Peace." Trump would personally chair the panel, alongside other foreign leaders, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The group also agreed to hand over administration of the Gaza Strip to an independent Palestinian body and said it would be willing to discuss other aspects of Trump's proposal as part of long-awaited talks.

But missing from the response was a commitment to have no role in Gaza's governance. When asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper what would happen if Hamas insisted on staying in power, Trump wrote via text message, “Complete Obliteration!”

While the world holds its breath for a potential ceasefire deal in the region, Hamas' response quickly raised eyebrows among some American lawmakers. Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham wrote on X that Hamas’ response to Trump’s plan is “unfortunately unpredictable” and “a classic ‘Yes, but’” answer.

“No disarmament, keeping Gaza under Palestinian control, and tying hostage release to negotiations, along with other problems,” Graham wrote. “This is, in essence, a rejection by Hamas of President Trump’s 'take it or leave it' proposal.”

When Tapper asked whether Graham is wrong, Trump answered, “We will find out. Only time will tell!!!”

Trump also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on board with ending its bombing campaign in Gaza and making Trump’s peace proposal a reality. He said he will know “soon” whether Hamas is truly committed to peace, though he didn't immediately provide additional details.

Israel began attacking Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Israeli forces have killed more than 67,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities.

Contributing: Francesca Chambers, Kim Hjelmgaard, Joey Garrison and Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump warns of 'complete obliteration' if Hamas remains in power in Gaza

Reporting by Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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