Hamas announced Friday that it is prepared to release all Israeli hostages — both living and deceased — once “field conditions for exchange” are met, and expressed willingness to begin talks through mediators over President Donald Trump’s new peace proposal for the Middle East.
In a detailed statement, the militant group said it was “ready to immediately enter negotiations through mediators to finalize the terms of this agreement.” Hamas also said it would “hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to an independent Palestinian body of technocrats” backed by Arab and Islamic nations.
The announcement was a response to Trump’s 20-point peace plan unveiled Monday at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages within 72 hours, and the eventual establishment of an international administration for Gaza.
Trump and Netanyahu both welcomed Hamas’s response.
“Based on Hamas’s statement, I believe they’re ready for lasting PEACE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Israel must stop bombing Gaza to ensure the safe release of hostages. We’re already working on details. This is about more than Gaza — it’s about peace across the Middle East.”
In a later video address, Trump said, “This is a big day. We’ll see how it turns out, but we’re getting very close to something historic.”
Netanyahu’s office issued its own statement shortly afterward, saying Israel was preparing to implement the “first phase” of the Trump plan. “We are coordinating closely with President Trump’s team to end the war consistent with Israel’s security principles and the President’s vision,” it said.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it had received orders to ready for implementation, with the Chief of Staff instructing units to “advance operational readiness for the first phase of the plan.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also endorsed the proposal, calling for “an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the beginning of Gaza’s reconstruction.”
According to Israeli estimates, 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with about 20 still alive.
Earlier Friday, Trump had given Hamas a deadline — 6 p.m. Sunday — to accept the deal, warning that if rejected, “all hell like no one has ever seen before will break out against Hamas.”
In its statement, Hamas also said it wished to discuss other elements of Trump’s plan concerning Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights, emphasizing that such talks must take place within a “comprehensive national framework.”
The Trump proposal stipulates that once both sides agree, all hostilities end immediately, hostages are released within three days, and civilians are free to remain in or return to Gaza. The plan references a “pathway” to Palestinian self-determination but stops short of guaranteeing statehood.
While Hamas’s acceptance of technocratic governance aligns with one of Trump’s key conditions — relinquishing direct control of Gaza — it remains silent on another: disarmament. The U.S. plan demands that Hamas agree to a “verified demilitarization process,” supervised by independent monitors, to permanently neutralize its weapons. That condition could become a major obstacle in upcoming negotiations.
The group’s announcement came as Israel intensified its ground assault on Gaza City amid widespread famine and mounting global criticism.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed Hamas’s response and urged both sides “to seize the opportunity to end this tragic conflict,” his spokesperson said.
Qatar and Egypt, key mediators in previous ceasefire efforts, also praised Hamas’s move.
In his Truth Social video, Trump thanked Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan for their roles in facilitating talks. “These nations helped make this possible,” he said.
If finalized, the deal could mark the most significant diplomatic victory of Trump’s second term — achieving what previous administrations failed to secure: a viable ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a longtime Trump ally, told NBC News that the president’s approach mirrors Theodore Roosevelt’s historic mediation of the Russo-Japanese War. “If this deal holds,” Gingrich said, “it could redefine how Americans see Trump’s foreign policy legacy.”
Regional reactions have been mixed. A senior Arab diplomat called the Hamas statement “positive” but warned the plan could still collapse. “They’ve accepted in principle, but major elements remain unresolved,” he said.
Another Western diplomat noted, “This might be the beginning of the end — or just another pause. Hamas hasn’t agreed to full disarmament or a timeline. The next few days will reveal whether hostages start coming out or the war reignites.”
Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, issued a joint statement describing Trump’s initiative as “sincere” and a “step toward stability.” Several European countries that recently recognized Palestinian statehood also welcomed the proposal.
Still, Netanyahu later reiterated that Israel opposes full Palestinian statehood, saying, “Instead of Hamas isolating us, we have isolated Hamas.”
The developments come just before the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 taken hostage. Since then, Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israeli strikes have killed more than 65,000 Palestinians.
