Hamas is ready for peace after the group submitted its response to the proposed plan, US President Donald Trump claimed.
According to Trump, Hamas has agreed to transfer the administration of Gaza to a body of Palestinian technocrats and release all Israeli hostages, reports Al Jazeera and BBC.
However, the group’s reply made no mention of surrendering its weapons. Hamas said it was prepared to “immediately engage” in mediated peace talks.
They have agreed to release all remaining Israeli hostages but asks for further negotiations on a number of issues outlined in the US’ peace plan on Gaza.
In a video address following the announcement, Trump described the move as “historic” but stressed the need to ensure a concrete agreement.
Posting later on Truth Social, he added that Hamas appeared willing to pursue a “lasting peace” and called on Israel to “immediately cease bombing Gaza.”
Despite Trump’s remarks, Israeli strikes continued on Friday, killing at least 72 people across the enclave, health officials reported.
Since October 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has left at least 66,288 Palestinians dead and 169,165 wounded. Thousands more remain trapped beneath the ruins of destroyed buildings.
In the 7 October attacks last year, Hamas killed 1,139 people in Israel and took around 200 captives.
