Qassam Muaddi | Mondoweiss
The response of Hamas to U.S. President Donald Trump's "peace" plan to end the war in Gaza came in late on Friday. It sparked immediate and conflicting reactions.
Five days after the U.S. president first announced his plan, the Palestinian movement gave its answer in a statement announcing that Hamas announced its "approval for the release of all hostages — living and dead - according to the exchange formula included in President Trump's proposal." Hamas added that it was ready to enter talks "to discuss the details."
In a move practically unheard of by a U.S. president, Trump shared Hamas's statement on his account on Truth Social:
"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!"
Minutes later, Trump announced Hamas's acceptance of his plan in a live address at the White House, considering the event "a big day, unprecedented in many ways." Trump added that he "looks forward to having all [Israeli] hostages come back to their parents," stressing that "we have to put the final word in concrete." The U.S. President thanked Arab and Muslim states for "helping me put this together," promising that "everybody will be treated fairly."
Hamas's response to Trump's plan came a day after the Israeli army sealed off Gaza City. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a "final warning"
to the estimated 500,000 Palestinians still in the city, announcing
that those who decide to remain will be considered "terrorists or
supporters of terror."
Netanyahu 'surprised' amid international approval
Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey also accepted Hamas's response, while French President Emmanuel Macron said that the "release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach," and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Hamas's response was "a significant step forwards."
Trump's near-immediate positive response to the Hamas statement was reportedly met with "surprise" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to an unnamed Israeli official who spoke to Israel's Channel 12. Netanyahu had held a deliberation on the Hamas response to Trump's plan before the U.S. President published his Truth Social statement. According to Channel 12, the Israeli Prime Minister considered the Hamas response a rejection of Trump's framework.
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