Hamas has signalled its acceptance of parts of Donald Trump’s ultimatum to end the war in Gaza, agreeing to a hostage exchange and to surrender governing power in the strip, but stopping short of committing to disarmament.
The group’s response to the 20-point proposal, unveiled on Monday, was welcomed by Trump, who ordered Israel to “immediately” stop bombing Gaza. In a post on Truth Social, he said: “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.”
Hamas kept its position vague on several other aspects of the plan, insisting on further negotiations. The group did not explicitly say whether it would lay down its arms, a key requirement of Trump’s proposal.
The development marks the closest Israel and Hamas have been to ending the war in two years, with Trump’s unprecedented order to Israel underscoring the shift in dynamics.
