In a striking development on Friday evening, President Donald Trump called on Israel to immediately cease its bombing campaign in Gaza, citing a promising response from Hamas to his recently proposed peace plan, as Breitbart reports.
This urgent appeal comes after Hamas agreed to key terms of Trump's proposal, including freeing all hostages and relinquishing control of Gaza, amid ongoing efforts to secure lasting peace in the Middle East.
Earlier this week, on Monday, Trump unveiled a peace proposal during a White House meeting alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan aimed to address the longstanding conflict in the region. It included a 48-hour ultimatum to Hamas to accept the terms or face consequences.
The proposal outlined significant demands, such as the release of all hostages, both living and deceased, held by Hamas. It also called for Hamas to step down from power in Gaza, transferring administrative control to an independent group of Palestinian technocrats. This group would be formed based on a consensus among Palestinian, Arab, and Islamic stakeholders.
By Friday, just hours after the ultimatum deadline, Hamas delivered a response via mediators to the United States. The group expressed a favorable stance on the proposal, agreeing to the release of hostages and the handover of Gaza's administration. However, they did not commit to disarming, a critical condition for Israel.
In response to this development, Trump publicly urged Israel to stop its military actions in Gaza. He emphasized the need to ensure safety during the potential release of hostages. The timing of his statement on Friday evening underscored the urgency of the situation.
Trump highlighted the importance of halting violence to facilitate further discussions. "Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE," Trump said. "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," he continued. "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."
Hamas, in a statement shared on Telegram, affirmed its willingness to move forward with talks. "In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement," the group declared.
Despite these developments, Israel has not yet issued an official reaction to Hamas's statement. Friday evening marked the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath, a time when most government activities pause for rest and reflection. As a result, an Israeli response was not expected until after the Sabbath concluded.
Netanyahu is anticipated to address the situation on Saturday evening. His stance on Hamas's refusal to disarm will likely be a focal point. This issue remains a significant hurdle in achieving a comprehensive agreement.
The lack of commitment to disarmament by Hamas could complicate negotiations. Israel has long insisted on this as a non-negotiable term for any peace deal. The coming days will reveal whether this sticking point derails progress.
Trump's intervention represents a high-stakes effort to broker peace in a region long plagued by conflict. His administration's push for an immediate halt to bombings aims to create a safer environment for hostage releases. The broader goal is to establish a framework for enduring stability.
Mediators are expected to play a crucial role in the next steps of negotiations. With Hamas open to discussions, the focus will shift to ironing out the specifics of the agreement. Both sides face pressure to compromise on deeply entrenched positions.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely for signs of progress. The potential for a ceasefire and the release of hostages offers a glimmer of hope. Yet, the path to lasting peace in the Middle East remains fraught with challenges.