Hamas has announced its agreement to certain aspects of the ceasefire proposal put forward by President Trump earlier this week, particularly emphasizing a commitment to release all hostages. However, the group has indicated that other elements of the deal require further negotiation.
A U.S. official described Hamas’s response as a positive development, although key details still need to be finalized, including a timeline for the decommissioning of weapons, which could begin as soon as next week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed the proposal on Monday. On Friday, President Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas, stating they had until Sunday evening to accept the deal, warning that failure to do so would result in severe consequences for the group.
Following Hamas’s statement, Trump expressed optimism on his social media platform, Truth Social, suggesting that the organization is “ready for a lasting PEACE.” He urged Israel to halt its military actions in Gaza to facilitate the safe release of hostages. “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that,” Trump wrote.
In light of Hamas’s willingness to negotiate, Netanyahu’s office released a statement early Saturday morning, indicating that Israel would swiftly implement the initial phase of Trump’s plan to secure the hostages’ release. The statement reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to collaborating with the President and his administration to bring an end to the conflict, aligning with Trump’s vision.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also indicated readiness for the plan’s initial phase, with Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief of staff, instructing military officials to prepare for the implementation of the hostages’ release.
In a video shared on Truth Social, Trump called the agreement “unprecedented in many ways” and expressed gratitude to several Arab and majority Muslim nations, including Qatar and Egypt, for their mediation efforts. “This is a big day,” he declared, emphasizing the need for final details to be solidified.
Hamas stated its willingness to release all living hostages and the remains of those who have died, in accordance with the exchange formula outlined in Trump’s proposal. This plan stipulates that Hamas must release all hostages taken on October 7, 2023, within 72 hours, while Israel would reciprocate by releasing 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 other Gazans detained since the conflict began.
The proposal also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities if both parties agree and for a phased withdrawal of the Israeli military to an “agreed upon line.” Furthermore, Hamas expressed a readiness to transfer the administration of Gaza to a Palestinian body of independents, based on national consensus and with support from Arab and Islamic states, which aligns with Trump’s proposal.
However, Hamas was less clear regarding other aspects of the deal. The group stated that some provisions of Trump’s proposal remain subject to a broader national dialogue grounded in international laws and resolutions, which would need to occur within an inclusive Palestinian framework that includes Hamas.
It remains uncertain whether Hamas has agreed to a provision that would remove it from governance in Gaza, an important aspect of Trump’s proposal.
The plan, unveiled on September 29 and supported by Netanyahu, outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza, starting with an initial pullout before the hostages are freed. It also calls for a temporary security force backed by Arab states to oversee the transition.
Netanyahu, who jointly announced the proposal with Trump at the White House, has reiterated his support for it, warning that if Hamas does not accept the offer, “Israel will finish the job by itself.” He emphasized that Israel is providing an opportunity for a peaceful resolution, but made it clear that failure to accept the proposal would lead to military action.
Trump assured Netanyahu that if Hamas were to reject the proposal, Israel would have the U.S.’s full backing in its military response. The President’s ultimate aim is to secure a “sustainable, long-term peace,” and he noted that both he and Netanyahu were awaiting signatures and approvals from several countries involved in the negotiations.
Since the outbreak of conflict on October 7, 2023, Israel and Hamas have been engaged in intense hostilities following a Hamas-led attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages. In retaliation, Israel has conducted significant aerial bombardments and ground operations in the Gaza Strip, with the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry estimating over 66,000 Palestinian deaths, though it does not detail the civilian versus militant casualties.
Currently, there are around 50 hostages believed to be held in Gaza, with Israeli authorities estimating that fewer than half are still alive.
