Donald Trump has ordered Israel to “immediately” stop bombing Gaza after Hamas partially accepted his plan to end the nearly two-year war. In a statement on Friday evening, the Palestinian militant group agreed to release all hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and to surrender governing power in the strip, but requested further negotiations on other terms.
Writing on Truth Social, Mr Trump said he believed Hamas was “ready for a lasting peace” and that Israel must halt its bombardment to allow hostages to be freed safely. “Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that,” he wrote, adding that discussions on details were under way. In a separate video message, he called it a “very special day”.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, responded by saying preparations were under way for the immediate implementation of the first stage of the plan, without mentioning Mr Trump’s demand to stop bombing. Netanyahu later vowed to disarm Hamas either diplomatically through the US plan or by military means.
Despite the appeal, Gaza’s civil defence reported dozens of Israeli airstrikes and artillery barrages on Gaza City overnight, with 20 homes destroyed. Medical sources said a strike on a home in the Tuffah neighbourhood killed four people, while two children died in a drone attack on a tent in Khan Younis.
Hamas said it approved the release of all “occupation prisoners” and was prepared to hand administration of Gaza to a Palestinian body of independent technocrats. However, it insisted that other issues, likely including disarmament, the withdrawal of Israeli troops and guarantees for a permanent ceasefire, required further discussion. A senior Hamas official said the group would not disarm before the occupation ended, underscoring the gaps that remain.
