US President Donald Trump has issued a chilling warning to Hamas, saying that if the militant group refuses to step down from power in Gaza, it would face “complete obliteration.” His statement comes as peace talks — part of Trump’s ambitious 20-point Gaza peace plan — are set to begin in Egypt this week.

The warning arrived shortly after Hamas announced on October 3 that it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, both alive and dead, under the framework of Trump’s proposed plan. The development was viewed by many as the first real breakthrough since the escalation of the Israel–Hamas conflict in late 2023.

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Trump’s 20-point peace plan — A new ‘Deal of the Century’?

According to Trump’s proposal, Gaza would be redeveloped with international funding, and Palestinians who wished to remain in the territory would be allowed to stay. The plan also offers amnesty to Hamas fighters, provided they surrender their weapons and dissolve their military structure.

The territory would be temporarily governed by a Palestinian-led committee, overseen by a newly formed Board of Peace chaired personally by Trump. Other global figures, including Tony Blair — the former UK Prime Minister — are also expected to serve on the board.

However, what caught global attention was Hamas’ failure to explicitly agree to withdraw from power in Gaza. When asked by CNN anchor Jake Tapper what would happen if Hamas remained in control, Trump’s reply was blunt and unfiltered:

“Complete obliteration!”

Lindsey Graham raises doubts over Hamas intentions

The reaction from Washington was swift. Lindsey Graham, the Republican Senator from South Carolina, expressed skepticism on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that Hamas’ response was “a classic ‘Yes, but…’” — a diplomatic half-step rather than true cooperation.

“No disarmament, keeping Gaza under Palestinian control, and tying hostage release to negotiations… this is essentially a rejection,” Graham wrote. “It’s not a real acceptance of President Trump’s take-it-or-leave-it offer.”

When Tapper asked Trump if Graham’s assessment was wrong, Trump replied, “We will find out. Only time will tell!!!” — a line that has since gone viral among both critics and supporters.

Israel ‘on board,’ says Trump

Trump also revealed that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, had signaled support for halting Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza, provided Hamas genuinely commits to peace. “We will know soon whether they are serious,” Trump told reporters, without elaborating on whether he had spoken directly to Netanyahu or mediated through back channels.

The former president, who is widely expected to run again in the 2028 US elections, has portrayed his Middle East peace plan as a defining part of his global legacy. Supporters see him as a pragmatic dealmaker capable of ending decades of bloodshed, while critics accuse him of oversimplifying a deeply complex conflict.

The global stakes — peace or provocation?

For millions across the Middle East, Trump’s words carry weight far beyond American politics. His past involvement in the Abraham Accords reshaped Arab-Israeli diplomacy, normalizing relations between Israel and nations such as United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

But experts warn that Gaza’s situation is far more fragile. “Unlike previous accords, the issue here is internal — about who governs Gaza, not just who recognizes Israel,” said Dr. Aaron David Miller, a former US State Department negotiator, in an interview with CNN. “If Trump’s approach is perceived as forcing Hamas’ hand without legitimate Palestinian representation, it could reignite violence.”

Egypt and the international role

The next round of peace negotiations is expected to take place in Cairo, under Egyptian mediation. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has reportedly invited senior officials from both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority to participate. Meanwhile, European diplomats — including representatives from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom — are expected to join as observers.

The United Nations has welcomed Trump’s involvement but urged caution. “Any peace plan must ensure the protection of civilians and allow for humanitarian access,” said António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

Trump’s personal stake in the peace process

For Trump, who has been simultaneously battling multiple legal cases in the United States, the Gaza peace initiative marks a return to global stagecraft — a realm where he often thrives. Political analysts believe the move could strengthen his international profile and rally his conservative base.

Yet, critics argue that his approach risks alienating allies who view his language as “provocative.” One senior European Union diplomat told Reuters, “Every time Trump uses the term ‘obliteration,’ it sends shockwaves through the region. It’s not typical diplomatic language — it’s a warning, not a negotiation.”

What comes next

As the world awaits Hamas’ full response to the peace plan, there’s cautious optimism mixed with deep uncertainty. If Hamas truly agrees to demilitarize and accept temporary governance under the proposed Board of Peace, it could mark the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in years.

But if not — the message from Donald Trump is crystal clear.

“Complete obliteration.

In his latest bold declaration, Donald Trump has re-entered the Middle East peace spotlight with a direct warning to Hamas. While his 20-point Gaza plan offers a pathway to redevelopment and reconciliation, the future of Gaza’s governance — and the fragile peace that depends on it — remains uncertain.

LOS ANGELES — A massive fire broke out Thursday night at the Chevron oil refinery in El Segundo, following what witnesses described as an explosion that “felt like a small earthquake.”

The El Segundo Police Department confirmed multiple emergency calls came in around the time of the blast, prompting a swift response from both local firefighters and the refinery’s in-house fire team. Crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services also mobilized to assist.

El Segundo Mayor Chris Pimentel said that while the fire was significant, no injuries had been reported.

“We were able to respond with Chevron fire immediately,” Pimentel told reporters. “Obviously, we are very concerned, and there is a lot of investigative work to be done.”

Fire contained but concerns remain

LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell confirmed that crews had managed to contain the fire to one section of the refinery. She assured residents there was no need for evacuation but urged locals to remain indoors as a precaution.

“It has been contained and there is no cause for alarm for El Segundo or the surrounding areas,” Mitchell said, while cautioning that smoke could impact air quality.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) noted that no elevated toxin levels were detected immediately after the blaze. Still, AQMD spokesperson Nahal Mogharabi advised residents to keep windows and doors closed if they noticed smoke or odors.

Casey Snow, Division Chief of the El Segundo Fire Department, confirmed there was no threat to nearby Manhattan Beach and that the burning materials were mostly gasoline and diesel. “The fire will either burn itself out or be extinguished with ongoing efforts,” Snow said.

A refinery of national importance

The El Segundo refinery, built in 1911, processes about 276,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it the largest producing oil refinery on the U.S. West Coast, according to Chevron’s website.

Its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) sparked concerns about potential flight disruptions, but LAX confirmed that operations continued without delays or cancellations.

Looking ahead

While the blaze has been contained, investigators are expected to probe the cause of the explosion. This is not the first time Chevron has faced refinery-related incidents; the company has previously been criticized over safety lapses at facilities in Richmond, California, and abroad.

For El Segundo residents, the immediate priority is safety. Officials stress that while there is no imminent danger, smoke-related conditions could shift quickly.

As the refinery’s gasoline and diesel flames die down, questions will linger about what caused the explosion at one of California’s most critical energy hubs — and whether it could have been prevented.
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com

A powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake shook the central Philippines late Tuesday night, killing at least 69 people and injuring dozens more. The hardest-hit province, Cebu, declared a state of calamity early Wednesday as repeated aftershocks sent terrified families into the streets and crippled basic services.

“Children were crying… people were traumatised”

Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes. One Cebu resident told the BBC he spent the night outside after power and water lines were cut, adding: “You could hear the voices of crying children everywhere. They were traumatised.”

The earthquake comes barely a week after the Philippines endured two successive typhoons, which claimed more than a dozen lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. The dual disasters have stretched emergency services thin in one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.

Bogo city bears the brunt

Most victims were from Bogo city, a small town in the Visayas Islands near the quake’s epicentre. Shocking images showed cadaver bags lined along the streets while makeshift hospitals treated hundreds of wounded in tents. Officials warned of “a lot of damage,” noting that roads buckled, bridges collapsed, and power lines fell, complicating rescue and relief operations.

Tragically, seven of the victims were living in a housing village originally built for survivors of Typhoon Haiyan—the 2013 superstorm that killed more than 6,000 people.

Disaster strikes during daily life

In San Remigio, the quake struck while a basketball game was underway, sending panic through the crowd. Nearly 20 people were injured, and at least one later died from their injuries, officials confirmed.

As aftershocks rattled the province—including a 4.7 tremor on Wednesday evening—rescue officials prioritised restoring electricity, clearing debris, and rushing relief goods to stranded residents.

Churches and heritage sites at risk

The archbishop of Cebu urged Catholics to stay away from churches until safety assessments are completed. This warning is particularly significant in Cebu, home to centuries-old churches dating back to the 1500s Spanish colonisation. Footage captured the dramatic collapse of a church tower in one locality.

A nation at the mercy of nature

The Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters stems from its geography. Located on the volatile Pacific “Ring of Fire”, the nation is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Its position along typhoon tracks makes it equally exposed to devastating storms.

Just last month, Tropical Storm Bualoi and Typhoon Ragasa struck, killing over a dozen people and forcing mass evacuations.

The road ahead

Officials warn that casualty numbers could rise further as many regions remain cut off. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in Manila is tasked with confirming figures, but their checks are slow and rigorous.

For now, thousands in Cebu and nearby Leyte islands remain without shelter, food, or clean water. Local authorities have appealed for doctors, nurses, and volunteers as the nation braces itself for yet another test of resilience.
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com