Hamas has formally submitted its response to US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan, agreeing to transfer the administration of the besieged enclave to a council of Palestinian technocrats and pledging to release all Israeli captives.
While the group’s statement marks a significant development, it notably avoided the contentious issue of disarmament. Instead, Hamas said it was ready to “immediately enter” peace negotiations under the supervision of international mediators.
In a video message released shortly after Hamas’s announcement, President Trump described the move as “unprecedented,” though he cautioned that it would be essential to ensure the agreement was finalised with clear, concrete terms.
“I believe Hamas is ready for a lasting peace,” Trump said, while urging Israel to “immediately stop bombing Gaza.” He also praised the role of regional partners, including Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, in supporting efforts to end the war.
Despite the breakthrough, Israeli air raids continued on Friday, with at least 72 Palestinians reported killed across Gaza, according to medical sources.
The conflict, now in its second year, has left devastating human costs. Since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, at least 66,288 Palestinians have been killed and 169,165 wounded. Thousands more remain missing, believed to be trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.
On the Israeli side, 1,139 people were killed during the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and around 200 were taken captive.
The proposal and Hamas’s partial acceptance have sparked cautious optimism among mediators, but the path forward remains uncertain as both sides weigh the conditions of a potential ceasefire and long-term settlement.
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