...
By Jesus Mesa and Jason Lemon
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump said Friday that Hamas appeared ready to make peace, urging Israel to pause its bombing of Gaza so the remaining hostages could be safely released.
“Based on the statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza so we can get the hostages out safely and quickly. Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long-sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
The comments marked a shift from Trump’s earlier warning that “all HELL” would fall on Hamas if it rejected the deal by Sunday.
Read More on News
“I believe this is a historic and constructive move by Hamas,” Bishara Bahbah, a Palestinian American academic who helped facilitate direct talks between the Trump administration and Hamas on Gaza, told Newsweek.
...
Why It Matters
The president's comment came after Hamas released a statement Friday confirming its acceptance of several key components of Trump’s 20-point proposal, including releasing all Israeli hostages and transferring administrative control of Gaza. However, the group said other elements required broader agreement among Palestinian factions.
The peace plan, introduced this week in Washington alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, includes an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages — living and deceased — and the formation of a Palestinian-led technocratic government in Gaza. It is still unclear how Israel would respond to the group’s partial acceptance.
What To Know
With the president suggesting negotiations are making progress, the U.S. is trying to build momentum ahead of the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that started the war.
On Friday, Hamas said it had consulted its leadership, Palestinian factions, and mediators before giving its response. The group said it agrees to release all Israeli prisoners, dead or alive, under the exchange terms in Trump’s proposal, provided conditions on the ground allow the process to take place.
Under the U.S. plan, in return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction. Plans to relocate much of Gaza's population to other countries would be shelved.
Hamas also repeated its willingness to hand Gaza’s administration to a Palestinian technocratic body backed by Arab and Islamic states. But it did not agree to disarm, a key Israeli demand. The group said bigger political issues — governance, sovereignty, and Palestinian rights — must be settled within a broader national framework and international law.
As of Friday evening, Israel had not formally responded, citing the Sabbath.
Hamas Statement in Full
"In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Important Statement
Regarding the Hamas Movement's Response to American President Trump's Proposal
In an effort to halt the aggression and war of extermination being waged against our steadfast people in the Gaza Strip, and based on national responsibility and concern for the principles, rights and supreme interests of our people, the Islamic Resistance Movement "Hamas" has held in-depth consultations within its leadership institutions, extensive consultations with Palestinian forces and factions, and consultations with mediators and friends to reach a responsible position in dealing with American President Donald Trump's plan.
After a thorough study, the movement made its decision and submitted the following response to the mediating brothers:
(The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of American President Donald Trump, calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, an exchange of prisoners, the immediate entry of aid, the rejection of the occupation of the Gaza Strip, and the displacement of our Palestinian people from it.
In this context, and in order to achieve a cessation of hostilities and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the movement announces its agreement to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump's proposal, provided the field conditions for the exchange are met. In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement.
The movement also renews its agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats), based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.
The other issues mentioned in President Trump's proposal regarding the future of the Gaza Strip and the inherent rights of the Palestinian people are linked to a comprehensive national position and based on relevant international laws and resolutions. They are to be discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian national framework. Hamas will be part of it and will contribute to it responsibly.
Islamic Resistance Movement – Hamas"
What People Are Saying
Vice President JD Vance wrote on X: “Proud of the president and the entire team. Pray for peace!”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.”
What Happens Next
It is unclear how Israel will respond to Hamas’ partial acceptance. Trump has pushed to finalize a deal before Tuesday’s second anniversary of the attack, which killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw 251 others abducted. Most of those hostages have since been freed through ceasefires or other agreements.
Israel’s offensive in response has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which says women and children make up about half the deaths. The fighting has displaced roughly 90% of Gaza’s population, many more than once, and left large parts of the territory uninhabitable.
This is a developing story and will be updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines