Following Hamas’s response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the country’s preparation to enact the initial stage of a plan developed by former US President Donald Trump, aimed at securing the immediate release of all hostages. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday and later removed from X. Netanyahu has affirmed Israel’s commitment to ending the conflict in line with principles aligning with Trump’s vision.
While Israel has pledged cooperation, it has not directly responded to Trump’s call for an immediate cessation of bombing in Gaza. Earlier, Hamas issued a statement agreeing to the 20-point peace plan. Trump expressed confidence in the group’s willingness to establish a ‘lasting’ peace in Gaza and urged Israel to halt attacks to facilitate the safe return of the hostages.
Trump stated on Truth Social, ‘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.’
Trump also expressed his anticipation for the hostages’ return, acknowledging that some may be in critical condition. He thanked several world leaders for their support in this effort, including those from Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, among others. ‘I look forward to having the hostages come home to their parents and having some of the hostages, unfortunately, you know the condition they’re in, come home likewise to their parents because their parents wanted them just as much as though that young man or young woman were alive,’ he said in a video message released by the White House.