Hamas Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

In a historic shift for Middle East diplomacy, Hamas has agreed to release all Israeli hostages under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s new Gaza peace proposal, signaling what could be the first major breakthrough in years of relentless conflict.

🔹 The Unexpected Turn in Gaza’s Ongoing Crisis

The announcement came late Friday evening after weeks of mounting international pressure and back-channel talks. Hamas confirmed it would free all living and deceased hostages as part of Trump’s proposed 20-point Gaza Peace Plan, unveiled in late September 2025.

According to Trump’s statement, the deal aims to bring “immediate peace, full hostage release, and gradual demilitarization of Gaza under international oversight.”
This unprecedented move has reshaped diplomatic calculations across Israel, Palestine, and the wider Arab region.

🔹 Inside Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Plan

Trump’s latest proposal is built around five key pillars designed to end hostilities and stabilize Gaza:

1. Immediate Ceasefire: Both sides must halt military operations under U.S.-monitored supervision.

2. Hostage-Prisoner Exchange: Hamas releases all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

3. Phased Withdrawal: Israeli forces would begin a gradual exit from key Gaza zones.

4. Demilitarization: All militant arms in Gaza to be dismantled under UN and U.S. supervision.

5. Interim Governance: A neutral Palestinian technocratic council would govern Gaza until elections are held.

Trump has reportedly given Hamas a strict Sunday deadline to finalize the deal, warning that refusal could bring, in his words, “all hell unleashed” in Gaza.

🔹 Hamas Responds: “We Are Ready to Cooperate”

In a statement from its Doha political office, Hamas declared:

“We are ready to release all hostages in line with Trump’s initiative, provided that all terms are negotiated fairly and the occupation’s aggression stops immediately.”

However, Hamas refused to commit to complete disarmament, insisting that “no resistance movement will lay down arms under occupation.”

The group also emphasized that Gaza’s future governance must reflect Palestinian sovereignty, not foreign imposition — a clause expected to become a major sticking point in upcoming negotiations.

🔹 Israel and U.S. Reactions

Israel’s government called Hamas’s statement “a step in the right direction,” but stressed that actions must follow words. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office said Israel remains “fully committed to hostage recovery and long-term security guarantees.”

Meanwhile, Donald Trump praised Hamas’s response but urged Israel to “stop bombing Gaza immediately” to enable safe hostage transfer.

Despite the call for calm, limited Israeli airstrikes were reported overnight, underscoring the fragile state of the ceasefire and the deep mistrust on both sides.

🔹 What Happens Next

If Hamas proceeds with the full release, the process will be overseen by an international verification team including U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari observers.
Analysts say the move could trigger a domino effect toward broader negotiations, potentially opening the path for a regional de-escalation deal involving Lebanon and Syria as well.

However, challenges remain:

• Disarmament Dispute: Israel demands total demilitarization; Hamas refuses.

• Political Factions: Internal divisions in both Israeli and Palestinian camps could derail implementation.

• Public Trust: Both societies remain skeptical after years of broken promises and bloodshed.

🔹 Global Reaction & Humanitarian Outlook

Across the world, leaders have cautiously welcomed the development. The UN Secretary-General described it as a “potentially transformative moment” but warned that failure to act quickly could lead to renewed violence.

In Gaza, civilians expressed cautious optimism, praying that the deal could finally bring an end to the unrelenting humanitarian crisis marked by displacement, hunger, and infrastructure collapse.

✳️ Conclusion

If this deal holds, Trump’s Gaza plan could reshape Middle East diplomacy for decades.
But for now, the world watches — waiting to see if promises turn into peace, or if another historic chance slips away in the smoke of war.