Hamas Agrees to Hostage Release Under Trump Peace Plan
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a significant potential breakthrough to end the nearly two-year war in Gaza, Hamas has agreed in principle to release all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, under a peace framework proposed by US President Donald Trump.
The terror group announced on Friday that it accepted major parts of the plan, including the exchange of captives. However, it clarified that other elements of the 20-point proposal require further negotiation and stated its readiness to “immediately engage in negotiations through mediators” to finalize the details.
Key Details of the Response and Plan
- Hostage Release: Hamas committed to releasing all hostages taken during its October 2023 assault on Israel.
- Gaza Governance: The group signaled flexibility on the future of Gaza, agreeing to hand over administration to a Palestinian body of “independent technocrats,” a transitional structure that would bypass the group’s direct rule.
- Trump’s Reaction: Following Hamas’s statement, President Trump posted on Truth Social, declaring his belief that Hamas was ready for “a lasting PEACE.” He then issued a directive to Israel, demanding they “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza” to ensure the hostages could be released “safely and quickly.”
- The Ultimatum: The agreement came just hours after Trump gave Hamas a Sunday evening deadline to accept his plan, warning of “all hell will break out” if they failed to comply.
- The Peace Plan: Trump’s proposal, which has garnered “broad international backing,” calls for an immediate ceasefire, a complete hostage-prisoner exchange, a phased Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and a transitional government under international supervision.
- Ally Support: Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a close and more hardline ally that also holds Israeli hostages, publicly announced its support for Hamas’s response.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s subsequent campaign has killed over 66,000 people in Gaza. If implemented, this agreement would be the most substantial diplomatic development since the war began.
