Hamas said it has agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, as long as “the field conditions for the exchange are met” and expressed willingness to negotiate through mediators on President Donald Trump’s plan for peace in the Middle East.
In its statement on Friday, Hamas said that the group “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,” Hamas said.
Hamas was responding to a 20-point peace plan Trump outlined on Monday at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump and Netanyahu’s office both replied positively to the Hamas statement.
“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. 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 on Truth Social. “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.”
In a video address posted later on Truth Social, Trump added, “This is a big day. We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete.”
‘This is a big day’: Trump responds to Hamas agreeing to release hostages, pending conditions
08:09
Netanyahu’s office also welcomed the Hamas response in a statement on Friday.
“In light of Hamas’s response, Israel is preparing to immediately implement the first phase of Trump’s plan for the immediate release of all hostages,” the statement said.
“We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles set forth by Israel that are consistent with President Trump’s vision.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also said in a statement on Telegram that they are taking preliminary steps to prepare for implementing the plan.
“In accordance with the directives from the political echelon, the Chief of the General Staff instructed to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan for the release of the hostages,” the IDF said.
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, welcomed Trump’s announcement and praised the president’s efforts to end the war in Gaza.
“What matters to us now is the immediate commitment to a complete ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners, the introduction of urgent humanitarian aid through United Nations organizations, ensuring no displacement or annexation, and starting the reconstruction process,” he said in a statement Saturday.
There are 48 hostages still being held in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive.
Earlier on Friday, Trump said Hamas had until 6 p.m. Sunday to accept the ceasefire proposal.
“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” Trump wrote in a lengthy post on Truth Social.
Hamas on Friday also said it wanted to further discuss other elements of the peace plan.
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