Breakthrough in Gaza: Hamas Agrees to Release All Hostages Under Trump's Peace Plan
Published Date: 4th Oct, 2025
The militant group's statement, issued amid escalating Israeli airstrikes, affirmed its commitment to the hostage exchange "according to the formula contained in President Trump's proposal," provided "field conditions" allow for safe implementation. With 48 hostages still held in Gaza—20 believed alive and the rest presumed dead—this marks the closest the parties have come to a comprehensive deal since Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,195 people and triggered the conflict.
Trump, who unveiled his 20-point plan earlier this week with backing from mediators Qatar, Egypt, and several Arab states, hailed the response as a sign that Hamas is "ready for a lasting PEACE." In a Truth Social post and video address, he urged Israel to "immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!" He set a Sunday evening deadline, warning of "unprecedented consequences" if rejected, but expressed optimism: "This is a big day. We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete."
The plan outlines an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages within 72 hours in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained since the war began, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, full humanitarian aid access, and the disarmament of Hamas. It also proposes handing Gaza's governance to a "Palestinian authority of independents (technocrats)" based on national consensus, with Arab and Islamic support, effectively sidelining Hamas from power. Amnesty would be offered to Hamas fighters who lay down arms, allowing them to leave Gaza.
Hamas's response stops short of full acceptance, emphasizing the need for negotiations on details like its role in post-war discussions and insisting on Israel's full withdrawal and reconstruction guarantees before disarmament. A senior official told Al Jazeera the group would not disarm until the "occupation ends," highlighting persistent gaps. However, the statement renews Hamas's prior offers to relinquish administrative control, a concession viewed as significant.
Israel's response was cautiously affirmative. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated preparations are underway for the "immediate implementation of the first stage" of Trump's plan, focusing on hostage release. Israeli media reported the military echelon instructing forces to reduce offensive operations and advance readiness for the deal, though airstrikes continued into Saturday, killing civilians including children in Gaza City. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff ordered a shift toward defensive postures, signaling potential de-escalation under U.S. pressure.
Adding momentum, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Gaza's second-largest militant group, endorsed Hamas's position on Saturday, a rare show of unity among factions that had previously rejected the proposal. Hostage families in Tel Aviv rallied, urging swift action, while massive protests in Israel demanded an end to the war.
U.S. envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are en route to Cairo today for indirect talks with Hamas delegates, focusing on technical details like withdrawal maps and exchange logistics. Qatar's foreign ministry confirmed coordination with Egypt and the U.S., expressing hope for progress.
Yet challenges loom. Critics, including some Israeli hardliners, decry the deal as too lenient, fearing it grants immunity to terrorists and allows Hamas regrouping. Women's rights advocates and aid groups welcomed the humanitarian angle but stressed accountability for war crimes. The UN praised the hostage commitment but called for verifiable disarmament to prevent future violence.
As negotiations intensify, this fragile accord tests whether Trump's high-stakes diplomacy—bolstered by military pressure and regional alliances—can deliver enduring peace in a region scarred by over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, widespread famine, and displacement. For the hostages' families and war-weary Gazans, the stakes could not be higher.
Date: 4th Oct, 2025
