Israel and Hamas have been at war since October 7, 2023, when the group launched an attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli officials. More than 430 Israeli soldiers have died in the conflict, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

It was not immediately clear whether the group was demanding any significant changes to the plan for a 60-day truce, hostage-for-prisoner swaps and talks on a permanent end to the Gaza war.

Trump previously has issued stark warnings to Hamas warning of consequences for keeping captives. ... but Arab countries in the region have refused to entertain the mass relocation of Gazans.

President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. CAIRO — Hamas on Thursday brushed off President Donald Trump's latest ...

Hamas, and some Arab countries involved in the negotiations, have other plans to stop the war. What news in the Middle East means for Americans: Sign up for USA TODAY's Israel-Hamas War newsletter.

President Trump issued a "last warning" to Hamas to release all hostages it still holds even as the White House confirmed unprecedented direct U.S.-Hamas talks.