President Donald Trump received Hamas' response overnight and directly called on Israel to stop its strikes in Gaza.
Writing on Truth Social, he said: "Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!. Right now, it's far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East."
Israel Hayom has learned that the mediators—Qatar, Egypt and Turkey—told Trump that Hamas would accept all the clauses of his plan and that they would ensure the negotiations move quickly to reach that outcome.
A diplomatic source involved in the talks said this was the background for Trump's positive statement on Hamas' response. According to the source, the mediators made clear that Hamas had accepted the plan in principle, even if it had reservations about some of its provisions, and that in the international conference that would follow, its demand for guarantees of a ceasefire and an IDF withdrawal would be heard.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman announced: "We welcome Hamas' statement and its readiness to release all the hostages according to Trump's proposal. We support President Trump's call for an immediate cease-fire to allow the safe and swift handover of the hostages. We have already begun working with our partners in Egypt and in coordination with the US to finalize discussions on the plan that will ensure the end of the war."
Egypt's Foreign Ministry also responded: "Hamas' reply reflects a desire within Hamas and other factions to end the bloodshed of the Palestinians. We hope this positive development will lead all parties to rise to the level of responsibility and commit to Trump's plan."
Trump's peace plan was presented this week as part of his effort to end the war in Gaza. The plan demands the release of all hostages within 72 hours, a transfer of governance in Gaza to a Palestinian technocratic administration, the disarmament of Hamas and the placing of Gaza under an international council. Trump set a deadline for Hamas to approve the agreement—by Sunday at 6 p.m., or, as he put it, "there will be hell."
The diplomatic source added that other countries and organizations are expected to take part in the upcoming conference, which will oversee the immediate implementation of the plan and later the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
