US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One prior to departure from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. AFP
"Complete obliteration!" Trump told CNN's Jake Tapper in a text message on Saturday when asked what would happen if Hamas insisted on staying in power.
Hamas has repeatedly made clear its plans to withdraw from the governance of Gaza, announcing on Friday that it would be excluded from any administration in post-war Gaza.
In its statement announcing its agreement to Trump's 20-point plan, the Palestinian group reiterated it was ready "to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing."
Despite Hamas's agreement, the president said he expects clarity "soon" on whether Hamas is genuinely committed to peace.
"Yes on Bibi," Trump added when asked if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully supports ending Israel's war and backing the president's broader vision.
Earlier on Saturday, Trump said Israel had agreed to the initial withdrawal line outlined in his ceasefire plan for Israel and Hamas.
He has already warned he will "not tolerate delay" from Hamas, urging the group to move quickly towards a deal "or else all bets will be off".
"When Hamas confirms, the ceasefire will be immediately effective, the hostages and prisoner exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal," he posted on Truth Social.
Trump also claimed that Israel had temporarily halted its airstrikes on Gaza on Saturday, following his demand that Israel stop bombing the enclave immediately.
Despite Trump's directive, Israeli airstrikes have continued. According to Al Jazeera, at least 70 Palestinians were killed on 3 October, when the directive was first issued.
The next day, Al Jazeera reported 61 Palestinians killed in Gaza on 4 October. As negotiations proceeded in Cairo, live updates recorded 19 Palestinians killed on 5 October.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that Israel must halt its bombardment of Gaza for a captive release by Hamas to take place.
"I think the Israelis and everyone acknowledge you can't release hostages in the middle of strikes, so the strikes will have to stop," Rubio told CBS News talk show Face the Nation.
"There can't be a war going on in the middle of it," he stressed.
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