WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed Hamas’ response to his ceasefire and prisoner-exchange proposal, saying he believes the Palestinian group is “ready for a lasting peace.”
“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
“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 White House earlier posted a video of Trump taping a pre-recorded message on Gaza, though it was unclear when it would be released.
Hamas had earlier issued its formal response, approving the release of all Israeli captives, the delivery of bodies of the deceased, and the transfer of Gaza’s administration to an independent Palestinian technocratic body.
Israel estimates 48 Israeli captives remain in Gaza, including 20 alive, while about 11,100 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons.
In its statement, Hamas said “other issues raised in President Trump’s proposal concerning the future of the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people are tied to a unified national position based on relevant international laws and resolutions.”
The group said its decision followed internal consultations as well as talks with Palestinian factions, mediators, and allies. It also expressed appreciation for Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as Trump’s push for ending the war, enabling prisoner exchanges, securing aid, rejecting displacement, and preventing a long-term occupation of Gaza.
Trump has given Hamas until 6 p.m. Washington time (2200 GMT) on Sunday to approve his plan.
The proposal calls for Gaza to become a weapons-free zone under a transitional governance mechanism overseen by an international body led by Trump. It requires the release of all Israeli captives within 72 hours of approval in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the disarmament of armed groups in Gaza, and Israel’s gradual withdrawal, with governance handed to a technocratic authority.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza’s 2.4 million residents for nearly 18 years, tightening restrictions in March by closing border crossings and halting food and medicine deliveries. Since October 2023, Israeli bombardment has killed nearly 66,300 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to Palestinian and international reports.
The United Nations and rights groups have repeatedly warned the enclave is becoming uninhabitable amid famine, disease, and mass displacement. — Agencies
