Trump Says Israel Must ‘Immediately Stop the Bombing of Gaza’ After Hamas Statement
President Donald Trump responded to Hamas’s statement on Friday, which agreed to release all the remaining hostages under new negotiated terms.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., posted a statement on Friday night saying it will release hostages “according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, and as the field conditions for the exchange are met.” Trump’s plan called for Hamas to release all hostages within the first 48 hours of accepting the deal.
“In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss these details,” Hamas added, signalling a return to negotiations which stalled after Israel attacked Hamas leadership in Qatar in September. Hamas also said it would give up control of Gaza “based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support”.
“Other issues mentioned in President Trump’s proposal regarding the future of the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people are connected to a unified national position and relevant international laws and resolutions,” Hamas added, saying that “will be addressed through a comprehensive Palestinian national framework, in which Hamas will participate and contribute responsibly.”
Trump’s plan, however, called for Hamas to relinquish all political and military control of Gaza and for an international governing body to help rebuild the Strip.
Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday and announced his 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas war that began on October 7th, 2023, with Hamas’s devastating attack on southern Israel. Hamas fighters and other armed Gazans poured into southern Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,200 people, while taking 251 hostages. 48 hostages currently remain in Hamas captivity, including 25 of whom are believed to be dead. The nearly two-year war has since left some 66,000 Gazans dead, according to the Hamas-linked Health Ministry, and over 900 Israeli soldiers dead as fierce fighting has continued in the Strip.
This is a developing story and has been updated.
