Hamas announced it would release all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, under U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal. The group said in a statement: “The movement announces its approval of releasing all occupation prisoners—both living and remains—according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.”
Hamas added that any release must ensure “the cessation of the war and the full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.”
The statement came hours after Trump gave the group a deadline until Sunday 6 p.m. to agree to the plan, warning: “Unless Hamas agrees, all HELL like no one has ever seen before, will break out.”
Conditions Set by Hamas
While Hamas expressed willingness to release hostages, it attached several conditions:
- Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza
- Transfer of Gaza administration to a Palestinian body of independent technocrats
- Future negotiations through mediators including Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S.
Hamas also emphasized that broader issues in Trump’s 20-point plan required a “unified national stance” and must be addressed under international law.
“In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter, through the mediators, into negotiations to discuss the details.”
Trump’s Ceasefire Plan and Reactions
Trump’s proposal includes:
- Disarming Hamas
- Excluding Hamas from future governance of Gaza
- Establishing an interim Palestinian executive authority under international supervision
- Eventual transfer of control to the Palestinian Authority
In a video message from the Oval Office, Trump welcomed Hamas’s response: “This is a big day. We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete. Very importantly, I look forward to having the hostages come home.”
The Israeli government has not yet commented. Meanwhile, the Hostage Families Forum urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “immediately begin efficient and swift negotiations.”
Hamas and Gaza Governance
Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that ignited the war, the group has repeatedly stated it could step aside from running Gaza but would not disarm. It has consistently demanded a full Israeli withdrawal before agreeing to any hostage release.
Trump, however, framed his plan as part of a broader regional vision: “This is not about Gaza alone. This is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
