Trump urges Israel to halt Gaza strikes, says Hamas is ready for “lasting peace”
U.S. President Donald Trump called on Israel to immediately stop bombing Gaza after Hamas accepted key parts of his ceasefire plan. Trump thanked Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, for their roles in advancing peace efforts.
A breakthrough may be on the horizon in the nearly two-year Gaza war. Hamas has announced its willingness to release all remaining hostages and hand over the administration of Gaza to an independent technocratic body, while requesting further negotiations on several key issues. Responding to the move, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Israel to “immediately halt its bombing campaign,” declaring that Hamas appeared “ready for lasting peace.” In a video statement, Trump thanked Erdoğan and other regional leaders, calling it “a very special day” and adding that peace in the Middle East “has never been this close.”
Hamas’s response
In a written statement, Hamas said it accepted Trump’s proposal for a comprehensive prisoner exchange, pledging to release all Israeli captives — both living and deceased — within 72 hours of a ceasefire. The group also expressed support for transferring Gaza’s governance to a nonpartisan Palestinian administration backed by Arab and Islamic countries. However, Hamas did not agree to full disarmament and stated that discussions on its future political role in Gaza would continue.
Trump’s remarks
Trump posted on social media: “Based on Hamas’s statement, I believe they are ready for lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop bombing Gaza so we can safely and quickly get the hostages out.”
Later, in a video message, he added: “I want to thank the nations that helped bring us here — Qatar, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and others. Today is a big day. We are very close to achieving peace in the Middle East.”
Israel’s reaction
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel was “prepared to implement the first phase” of Trump’s plan, which includes the release of all hostages. However, the statement emphasized that any end to the war must align with Israel’s security principles. Israeli media reported that the military had been instructed to scale back airstrikes in Gaza as diplomatic talks gain momentum.
Global responses
– President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: “Hamas’s response represents a constructive and significant step toward lasting peace.”
– UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “This historic opportunity must be seized to end the tragic conflict.”
– German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: “The release of hostages and peace for Gaza are finally within reach.”
– UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “All parties must now act decisively to end this war.”
