Hamas Accepts Trump’s Peace Proposal To Free All Hostages

Trump’s peace plan calls for Hamas to release all Israeli captives in return for Palestinian detainees.

As part of a peace deal mediated by US President Donald Trump, Hamas has promised to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian inmates, which is the biggest step toward ending the almost two-year-old war in Gaza.

The Palestinian militant group did not specify whether it will lay down its weapons, a crucial component of Trump’s proposal that was revealed on Monday, but said in a statement on Friday night that it would like more talks on other aspects of the plan.

According to Hamas, it is in favor of “releasing all occupation prisoners – both living and remaining – in accordance with the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.”

An Arab and Islamic nation-backed “Palestinian body of independent technocrats” will be given administrative control of the Gaza Strip, the group further stated.

Trump urged Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza” in order to facilitate the safe release of hostages, and he praised Hamas’s response as a significant step toward peace after the announcement. Trump posted on Truth Social, saying, “I think Hamas is ready for a lasting PEACE based on the statement just issued.” We are currently discussing the specifics that need to be worked out.

In addition to calling it a “very special day,” the US leader stated that the plan was about attaining “long sought PEACE in the Middle East” rather than merely Gaza.

Israel’s government is “preparing for the immediate implementation” of the first step of Trump’s plan, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, which praised Hamas’s decision in principle to free the hostages. It did not, however, answer Trump’s call for an immediate cessation of airstrikes.

Trump’s proposal lays out a phased plan that includes a 72-hour ceasefire to allow for the prisoner swap, then the disarmament of Hamas, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the establishment of a transitional administration under his direction. A large rehabilitation effort and a surge of humanitarian supplies are also part of the plan for Gaza, where starvation and widespread damage have made the humanitarian catastrophe worse.

Al Jazeera was informed by a senior Hamas official that although the organization was prepared to turn over captives and administration, it would not disarm until Israel completely evacuated the enclave. This position highlights the continued difficulties in establishing a sustainable peace.

But according to observers, Hamas’s approval of the hostage release is a turning point in the war and might pave the way for the most important peace talks since the start of the conflict.