WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday called on Israel to immediately stop bombing Gaza after Hamas signaled acceptance of key terms in his 20-point plan to end the nearly two-year war, though major disputes such as disarmament and withdrawal remain unresolved.
Trump, who has presented himself as the only leader capable of achieving peace in Gaza, said Hamas had shown it was “ready for a lasting PEACE.” He placed responsibility on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt military operations.
“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. “We are already in discussions on the details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
Hamas on Friday delivered its response to Trump’s proposal, which includes an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas disarmament, and the installation of a transitional government led by an international body.
In its statement, Hamas said it “appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, (and) the immediate entry of aid.” The group confirmed its “approval of releasing all occupation prisoners both living and remains according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.”
Hamas also expressed willingness “to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing,” but did not explicitly agree to disarm or accept Trump’s proposal to bar it from exercising political power in Gaza.
Despite Trump’s appeal, residents in Gaza reported intensified Israeli strikes following the announcement. Tanks shelled Talateeni Street in central Gaza City, while military aircraft bombed homes in the Remal neighborhood and targets in Khan Younis, according to witnesses. No casualties were immediately reported.
Israel has yet to comment on Hamas’ response or Trump’s demand to halt military action. However, opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu to support the U.S.-brokered plan, saying on X: “Israel should announce it is joining the discussions led by the president to finalize the details of the deal.” Families of hostages in Gaza also pressed the government “to immediately order negotiations for the return of all hostages.”
International voices echoed Trump’s call. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: “Hamas’ commitment must be followed up without delay,” reiterating France’s push for broader recognition of a Palestinian state as part of ending the conflict.
The war began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to Gaza, according to Israeli figures. Israel says 48 hostages remain, including 20 confirmed alive.
Since then, Gaza health authorities report more than 66,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israel’s military campaign. The United Nations has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a charge Netanyahu’s government strongly denies, insisting it is acting in self-defense.
A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera the group would not disarm before Israel ends its occupation, highlighting the continuing gap between the parties. Mediators Qatar and Egypt, alongside the United States, are now working to advance talks on Trump’s proposal.
Earlier Friday, Trump warned that “all HELL” would break out in Gaza if Hamas failed to accept his plan by Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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