Trump Orders Israel to Halt Strikes as Hamas Signals Peace Plan Acceptance

Hamas Accepts Some Elements of U.S. Proposal

President Donald Trump on Friday ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza after Hamas announced it had accepted parts of his peace plan aimed at ending nearly two years of conflict. The group said it was prepared to release all remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack and give up governing power.

Hamas officials, however, stressed that other elements of the plan—particularly those tied to the future of Gaza and Palestinian rights—require further consultation with other Palestinian factions. The group’s statement made no mention of disarmament, a key Israeli demand.

Israel Responds to Hostage Agreement

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel was prepared to move forward with what he called the “first stage” of Trump’s plan, referring to the release of hostages. His office emphasized that Israel remains committed to ending the war on its own terms and did not address gaps with Hamas.

Trump praised Hamas’ announcement, writing on social media: “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.”

International Reaction Welcomes Pause

The proposal was welcomed by mediators Egypt and Qatar, who pledged to continue discussions. A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres urged all sides to seize the opportunity to end the war, while French President Emmanuel Macron called the plan a chance for “a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.”

The main organization representing families of Israeli hostages also endorsed Trump’s demand to halt the fighting, calling it “essential” to protect captives from further harm.

Details of Trump’s Plan

Under the U.S. proposal, Hamas would release 48 remaining hostages within three days in exchange for Israel halting its offensive, releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza. The territory would then be placed under international governance, with Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair overseeing the transition.

Trump warned earlier that failure to accept the deal would lead to “all HELL, like no one has ever seen before” against Hamas, underscoring the urgency of the offer.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the breakthrough, obstacles remain. Hamas officials said locating the remains of some hostages could take weeks, complicating a rapid exchange. They also rejected the idea of foreign administration in Gaza, calling it “unacceptable.”

With the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack approaching, the pressure to secure peace has grown. Israel’s offensive has displaced most of Gaza’s population and killed tens of thousands, according to local health officials. Whether Trump’s proposal can deliver a lasting ceasefire remains uncertain, but for now, both sides face mounting global calls to pause the fighting.