Trump tells Hamas ‘move quickly, or else all bets will be off’
President Donald Trump issued another warning on Saturday, telling Hamas it must move quickly to release the hostages «or else all bets will be off» as the Israeli bombardment on Gaza is scaled back.
«Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off. I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again. Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!» Trump wrote in a post on social media.
Trump’s threat comes as his U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are traveling to Egypt this weekend to finalize technical details of a Gaza peace deal.
They will be part of the U.S. mediating team in Egypt for the latest round of indirect Israel-Hamas negotiations, which are expected to begin tomorrow, according to a White House official.
-ABC News’ Lalee Ibssa and Selina Wang
IDF offensive pause to allow Hamas to organize hostage release, official says
A senior Israeli official told ABC News on Saturday that the halt in the Israel Defense Force’s offensive activity in the Gaza Strip is intended to allow Hamas to begin organizing for the release of the hostages.
Smoke rises following Israeli army shelling in central Gaza Strip, on Oct. 4, 2025.
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
The official said this does not represent an official ceasefire that requires Hamas to return the hostages within three days, nor the beginning of a withdrawal. The official said the IDF may make tactical adjustments for the purpose of protecting its troops.
The official added that Israel is constantly examining what is happening on the ground and will not allow Hamas to take advantage of any pause in operations, carry out last-minute attacks or to strengthen their grip on the ground.
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas will begin on Sunday in Egypt, Israeli officials told ABC News. One official said the talks will show whether Hamas is bluffing or is ready to accept the ceasefire proposed by President Donald Trump.
-ABC News’ Jordana Miller and Morgan Winsor
Netanyahu to hold security cabinet meeting on Saturday, sources say
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a security cabinet meeting on Saturday night to discuss — among other things — a list of Palestinian prisoners to be released and options for Israel Defense Forces Gaza withdrawal maps, two Israeli sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
Palestinians walk on a coastal path northwest of Nuseirat refugee camp on Oct. 4, 2025.
Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images
-ABC News’ Jordana Miller and Morgan Winsor
Palestinian president welcomes Trump’s ‘significant’ ceasefire efforts
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday he welcomes «Hamas’ positive statements» as well as the «significant efforts made by President Trump to end the war in the Gaza Strip and move toward lasting peace,» according WAFA, the official news agency of the Palestinian Authority.
This file photo shows President Donald Trump with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 3, 2017.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
«We welcome these statements as they signal a willingness to release all hostages and adopt a constructive approach during this critical stage, which requires everyone to exercise the highest level of national responsibility,» Abbas said, as quoted by WAFA.
«What matters to us now is an immediate commitment to a complete ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners, the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid through U.N. organizations, ensuring the prevention of displacement or annexation and the commencement of the reconstruction process,» Abbas said.
-ABC News’ Jordana Miller, Samy Zyara and Morgan Winsor
