Hamas announced Friday that it has agreed in principle to the terms of President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan, including the release of all Israeli hostages, as diplomatic momentum appeared to build around the U.S.-led framework.
In a statement, Hamas leaders said they accepted the “core points” of the 20-point plan and were ready to begin implementation “immediately,” though key disputes remain unresolved — among them, the group’s full disarmament and the future governance of Gaza. Islamic Jihad, a smaller militant faction, publicly endorsed Hamas’s position late Friday, signaling a rare moment of internal alignment within Gaza’s armed movements.
Trump, who has sought to position himself as the broker capable of ending the war, responded on Truth Social by demanding that Israel “stop the bombing now,” calling Hamas’s statement “a historic opportunity for peace.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it was “reviewing the terms carefully” but stressed that “security concerns remain paramount.”
Despite the announcement, Israeli airstrikes continued overnight in parts of Gaza City and Khan Younis, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the proposed cease-fire. Aid groups say humanitarian conditions remain dire, with thousands displaced and medical supplies running low.
Analysts say the plan’s success hinges on trust and verification mechanisms — areas where past cease-fire attempts have repeatedly failed. As both sides weigh their next steps, the proposal marks the most significant opening toward negotiation in months, one that could test whether the Trump administration’s unconventional diplomacy can translate into lasting stability in the region.
