Hamas Agrees to Free Israeli Hostages; Trump Demands Israel Halt Bombing of Gaza
In a dramatic turn in the Gaza conflict, Hamas has committed to releasing all Israeli hostages—alive or deceased—as part of a broader acceptance of components of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace proposal.
Shortly after the announcement, Trump urged Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza”, saying that halting military strikes is critical for the safe and timely return of hostages.
What Hamas Has Agreed To
According to its statement, Hamas will release all Israeli captives, living and dead, under the hostage-exchange framework proposed in Trump’s plan.
The group also expressed willingness to cede administrative control of Gaza to a technocratic body of independent Palestinians, though it has not explicitly agreed to disarm.
Hamas said it would enter into mediated negotiations immediately to iron out implementation details.
However, the statement did not cover disarmament, one of the most contentious demands in Trump’s plan.
Trump’s Call to Israel & Reaction
In a post on his social platform, Trump affirmed his belief that Hamas is “ready for a lasting peace” and insisted that Israel cease bombing immediately so that hostages can be released safely.
The Trump message read in part:
“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office responded that Israel was preparing for the first stage of the plan—chiefly the hostage-exchange.
However, reports indicate that bombing in some parts of Gaza continued even after the call for a ceasefire, raising questions about Israel’s willingness to completely halt military operations.
Risks, Challenges & Unresolved Issues
While the agreement is a major diplomatic step, significant hurdles remain:
Disarmament remains unresolved. Hamas has not accepted dismantling its military capability, a core plank of Trump’s proposal.
Timing and safety are critical — hostages’ lives depend on whether Israel pauses bombing long enough to enable safe transfers.
Governance of Gaza: The transition to technocratic rule may be opposed by local stakeholders who fear loss of representation and autonomy.
Trust deficit: Given decades of mistrust, both sides must follow commitments closely to prevent collapse of the deal.
