Donald Trump has ordered Israel to “immediately” stop bombing Gaza, saying Hamas appears ready for a lasting peace after the group agreed to release all remaining hostages and give up governing power in the territory.
Hamas said it approved Trump’s formula for a prisoner exchange and was prepared to hand control of Gaza over to an independent Palestinian body backed by Arab and Islamic nations. However, it stopped short of agreeing to disarm — a key part of Trump’s peace plan unveiled earlier this week.
Trump, who has positioned himself as the main broker of a Middle East truce, posted on Truth Social that “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly”.
He added that the move could bring “long sought peace” to the region.
The response had been cautiously optimistic. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the country was preparing to “immediately implement” the plan’s first stage — the release of hostages — and would continue working with Trump’s team “to end the war in accordance with the principles laid out by Israel”. The statement, reported by Israeli media, did not address Trump’s call to halt airstrikes.
Trump’s proposal calls for a ceasefire, the release of all captives and Palestinian prisoners within 72 hours of signing, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a major humanitarian aid push for the besieged strip. The plan would also see Hamas disarmed and Gaza placed under transitional international governance — temporarily led by Trump, with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair among those overseeing reconstruction.
Hamas’ acceptance of key parts of the deal marks its most significant concession since the war began nearly two years ago.
The conflict has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authority, and displaced about 90 per cent of the territory’s population. The UN has deemed the horrific war as a genocide against Palestinians and repeatedly warned that parts of Gaza are experiencing famine-like conditions due to Israel’s blockade on aid and ongoing bombardment.
The response to Trump’s intervention has been cautiously optimistic. The UN secretary-general’s office urged all sides to “seize the opportunity” to end the war, while world leaders including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz all welcomed Hamas’ partial acceptance of the plan.
Qatar and Egypt — key mediators in previous ceasefire negotiations — also confirmed they are working with the US on the next phase of talks.
Lead image: Getty Images
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