President Donald Trump said the remaining hostages will only return once Hamas is "confronted and destroyed" as Israel plans to expand its Gaza offensive.

President Donald Trump said Monday morning that the remaining hostages in Gaza will only be returned when Hamas is “confronted and destroyed.”

Hamas has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire with Israel that would see the release of half the hostages in Gaza in exchange for some Palestinian prisoners, an Egyptian official said on Monday – in an Egypt-brokered peace proposal that could bring some relief to Palestinians after nearly two years of war in Gaza.

Political commentator Amit Segal says the Prime Minister is keeping the option of a partial deal with Hamas open, even as those close to him claim his focus is on conquering Gaza.

"The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be," US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social. US President Donald Trump said that the remaining Gaza hostages will only be returned when "Hamas is confronted and destroyed" in a post to Truth Social on Monday.

We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!!” President Donald Trump posted on social media.

Amid reports Hamas has given a positive response to the latest ceasefire proposal, Minister Israel Katz says the threat of an IDF operation in Gaza City allowed diplomacy to resume.

As Egypt and Qatar step up pressure on Hamas in hostage talks, expert Lt.-Col. (Res.) Alon Eviatar says the group remains unmoved, using threats to stall IDF action in Gaza City.