In a major development that could mark a turning point in the ongoing Gaza conflict, Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed over the weekend that Hamas has accepted the full framework proposed by President Donald Trump for the release of Israeli hostages.
Rubio made the announcement during a Sunday interview on Fox News Sunday with guest host Gillian Turner, pushing back against media narratives suggesting Hamas was attempting to stall or partially comply with Trump’s ultimatum.
Hamas Accepts Trump’s Full Framework
Turner pressed Rubio on concerns that Hamas was engaging in a delay tactic after initially signaling acceptance of only part of Trump’s proposal.
“On Monday, President Trump gave Hamas a deadline of 6pm tonight to accept all 20 points of his proposed plan,” Turner said. “Then Friday, Hamas came forward and said, well, we accept one. Are you concerned at all that this is a play for more time?”
Rubio flatly rejected that characterization.
“I don’t think that’s an accurate description of what’s happened here,” Rubio responded. “In fact, it’s fairly inaccurate.”
He went on to clarify that Hamas has now accepted what he described as the entire construct of President Trump’s plan.
“The way to think about this is twofold,” Rubio explained. “Number one, Hamas has accepted the entire construct of President Trump’s proposal for releasing the hostages. That’s number one.”
According to Rubio, the framework covers all remaining hostages—both living and deceased.
“Forty-eight total,” he said. “Twenty that are alive, and twenty-eight that are deceased.”
Talks Focused on Logistics, Not Substance
Rubio emphasized that current negotiations are no longer about whether the hostages will be released, but how and when.
“There are talks ongoing which will hopefully be finalized very quickly on the logistics of that,” Rubio said. “Who’s going to go in, what time they’re going to be released, how that’s all going to work.”
That distinction is critical. Trump’s approach—backed by clear deadlines and uncompromising pressure—appears to have forced Hamas to move beyond posturing and into operational discussions.
Administration officials have long argued that previous ceasefire talks failed precisely because they lacked enforcement mechanisms and consequences. Trump’s framework, by contrast, was explicit, time-bound, and backed by U.S. leverage.
The Harder Question: Who Governs Gaza?
While the hostage release may soon be resolved, Rubio made clear that the next phase will be far more difficult.
“The second part of this is going to be a much tougher part,” he said. “What happens after that. Who’s going to run Gaza moving forward?”
Rubio was unequivocal in his answer.
“It can’t be Hamas. It can’t be a terrorist organization,” he said.
That position aligns with Trump’s broader Middle East strategy, which rejects the idea—promoted by some international actors—that Hamas can be reformed or incorporated into a future governing arrangement.
The administration has repeatedly stated that any long-term solution must ensure Gaza is not governed by an organization committed to Israel’s destruction and responsible for mass civilian atrocities.
A Sharp Contrast With Past Approaches
Supporters of the Trump administration argue this breakthrough highlights the effectiveness of Trump’s foreign policy style—direct, transactional, and backed by credible consequences.
Unlike previous administrations that relied on extended diplomacy and vague assurances, Trump issued a clear ultimatum and followed through with pressure. According to Rubio, that approach left Hamas with limited options.
Critics, meanwhile, remain skeptical and warn that Hamas may still attempt to exploit the process. But Rubio’s remarks suggest the administration believes the core obstacle—Hamas’s refusal to accept the framework—has now been removed.
What Comes Next
If the logistics talks conclude as expected, the release of hostages could begin imminently. That would represent one of the most significant humanitarian and diplomatic developments since the conflict began.
However, the battle over Gaza’s future governance is just beginning—and it will likely involve regional partners, Israel, and sustained U.S. engagement.
For now, the Trump administration is framing Hamas’s acceptance of the framework as a clear win for American leadership and a validation of Trump’s hardline approach.
As Rubio put it, the real question is no longer whether Hamas will comply—but whether the world is prepared to ensure that Gaza is never again ruled by terrorists.