US President Donald Trump talks to the press before boarding Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 5, 2025. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump has threatened Hamas with "complete obliteration" if the Palestinian resistance movement refuses to cede power and control of Gaza.

In a text message interview with CNN, when asked what would happen if Hamas insisted on staying in power, Trump wrote, "Complete obliteration."

Hamas responded to Trump`s 20-point plan to end Israel`s two-year war on Gaza late on Friday, saying it had accepted certain key parts, including an end to the war, Israel`s withdrawal, and the release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners.

The Palestinian group made no mention of disarming - a key demand from Israel included in Trump`s plan.

Hamas`s response has drawn cautious optimism from world leaders but has left some American lawmakers discontented by insisting on no disarmament, keeping Gaza under Palestinian control, and tying captive release to negotiations.

Republican Senator Lindsay Graham wrote on X that Hamas`s response is "unfortunately unpredictable" and a classic "Yes, but" answer.

"No disarmament, keeping Gaza under Palestinian control, and tying hostage release to negotiations, along with other problems," Graham wrote. "This is, in essence, a rejection by Hamas of President Trump`s ‘take it or leave it` proposal."

When asked whether Graham was wrong, Trump replied, "We will find out. Only time will tell!!!"

The US president also claimed that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported ending the regime`s war on Gaza and implementing Trump`s proposal.

Gaza hospital authorities, however, said Israeli forces continued to carry out airstrikes across the territory on Sunday, killing at least 67 people since Trump claimed that Netanyahu had "temporarily stopped" bombing Gaza.

Trump`s approach to foreign crises has often combined negotiations with stark threats - a pattern analysts say heightens uncertainty, undermines trust, and casts doubt on his administration`s ability to act as a neutral broker.

While proposing agreements or ceasefires, he repeatedly issues warnings of severe military action, forcing counterparts and international mediators to operate under intense pressure.