Trump Urges Gaza Ceasefire as Hamas Signals Hostage Deal
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Hamas appears ready for a lasting peace and urged Israel to immediately halt bombardments in Gaza, following the militant group’s statement that it was prepared to release hostages under his ceasefire plan. He posted the remarks on Truth Social, calling the moment a “very special day” and promising that all sides would be treated fairly in talks.
The White House did not issue an immediate formal comment, but Trump framed the development as a potential turning point after weeks of stalled diplomacy. Hamas, for its part, described Trump’s statements as encouraging and indicated a willingness to negotiate the hostage release, even as it signaled reservations about the finer points of the proposed plan.
Hamas spokesman Taher al-Nounou told AFP that the group would immediately begin negotiations through mediators to achieve a prisoner exchange, an end to the war, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Hamas emphasized that it would press for talks over disarmament and the future governance of Gaza, suggesting it would seek a say in the territory’s political trajectory.
What the Trump plan envisions and how Hamas responded
Trump’s plan lays out a package including an immediate ceasefire, a broad exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the disarmament of Hamas under the supervision of an international body. A transitional government composed of technocrats and backed by Arab and Islamic states would oversee Gaza during a transition period. The plan also calls for the immediate entry of aid and a framework to prevent interference by outside groups.
In a copy of a statement seen by Reuters, Hamas indicated it appreciated the international effort behind the proposal and endorsed the exchange formula, but it stopped short of embracing disarmament or a staged withdrawal without further negotiations. The group signaled it would engage in talks to work out the details, and would like a say in how Gaza is governed after any agreement.
Regional mediation and international reactions
Regional actors quickly weighed in. Egypt expressed cautious optimism, saying it hoped the response would lead all parties to implement the plan and signaling it would work with Arab states, the United States, and European partners to push for a permanent ceasefire. Qatar said it had begun coordinating with Egypt and Washington to continue discussions aimed at ending the war.
The United Nations’ aid chief welcomed the plan as a window of opportunity that could enable life-saving aid to reach Palestinians and bring hostages home, while stressing the need for safe, unhindered access to the Gaza Strip. Israel, which has endorsed the plan in public statements, has not yet issued a formal response to the latest Hamas remarks at the time of writing.
Implications for civilians and the road ahead
As fighting nears its second year, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The plan’s display of a ceasefire and hostage exchange could, if realized, pave the way for more consistent aid deliveries and reduced civilian casualties. The plan’s success, however, hinges on trust-building between Hamas and Israel, genuine disarmament steps, and a clear and enforceable mechanism for governance in Gaza after any withdrawal.
UN and aid agencies cautioned that even with a potential ceasefire, security concerns and access limitations would persist. Civilians face the risk of renewed bombardments if negotiations stall or collapse, and the hostage situation remains a volatile flashpoint that could derail any progress.
What happens next
Trump set a deadline-like tone, urging acceptance of his proposal by a Sunday deadline in his remarks. It remains uncertain whether Hamas will fully embrace all terms, and whether Israel will consent to a staged withdrawal and disarmament provisions. The White House’s formal stance on the latest Hamas response was awaited, as were fresh cues from regional mediators and allied governments about next steps.
Analysts say the coming days will reveal whether a genuine diplomatic window is opening or if the rhetoric will outpace a workable agreement. In the meantime, the priority for international actors is to maintain humanitarian access, prevent escalation, and keep channels open for negotiations that could translate into a durable, if fragile, ceasefire.
