Trump: Israel should determine what to do in Gaza and decide the fate of "Hamas" in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Israel must decide what to do in Gaza and must make up its mind about allowing "Hamas" to remain in the territory. He emphasized that he does not believe the Palestinian movement will stay there.

During a phone interview with Axios, Trump noted that he did not express direct support for Israel's plans to attack and "occupy" the city of Gaza, but clarified that Hamas would not release the Israeli hostages unless the situation on the ground changes.

The site reported that some senior military leaders in Israel oppose the planned military operation, fearing it could endanger the lives of the Israeli hostages. Trump confirmed that recovering the hostages has always been a difficult task.

Trump pointed out that Hamas will not release the hostages under the current circumstances, and despite widespread international criticism of the Israeli plan due to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, the U.S. president decided not to intervene and leave the decision to Israel.

In a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the two leaders discussed plans to take control of what remains of Hamas strongholds in Gaza, with the aim of ending the war and releasing the hostages.

Netanyahu asked the Israeli army to provide plans for "taking control of the city of Gaza," while Israeli officials indicated that planning for the operation could take several weeks, opening a time window for attempts to reach a ceasefire agreement.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff discussed with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani the possibility of reaching a comprehensive deal to end the war and release all hostages.

A high-level delegation from Hamas arrived in Cairo to hold talks with Egyptian intelligence officials regarding the possibility of resuming negotiations for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators are working on drafting a new proposal based on Witkoff's initiative for a partial ceasefire lasting 60 days, with the aim of transforming it into a comprehensive agreement to end the war.