Washington, October 4, 2025 – The Europe Today: US President Donald Trump on Friday hailed Hamas’ response to his ceasefire and prisoner-exchange proposal, expressing optimism that the Palestinian group is prepared to pursue a “lasting peace” in the Middle East.
“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “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.”
In a separate video message, the president thanked Türkiye, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and other partners for their mediation efforts. “This is a big day. We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete,” he said. “Everybody was unified in wanting this war to end, and seeing peace in the Middle East, and we’re very close to achieving that.”
Hamas earlier submitted its formal response to Trump’s plan, agreeing to release all Israeli captives, return the remains of deceased hostages, and transfer Gaza’s administration to an independent technocratic Palestinian body. According to Israeli estimates, 48 captives remain in Gaza, including 20 alive, while around 11,100 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israel, with reports of torture, medical neglect, and deaths in custody.
In a statement issued on Telegram, Hamas said aspects of Trump’s proposal regarding Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights must be determined through a unified national position based on international law and UN resolutions. The group noted it had held extensive consultations with its leadership, Palestinian factions, and mediators before finalizing its position. Hamas also expressed appreciation for international and regional efforts to end the war, facilitate prisoner exchanges, ensure the flow of humanitarian aid, and reject displacement or continued occupation of Gaza.
Trump has given Hamas until Sunday evening (6 p.m. Washington time / 2200 GMT) to approve the proposal.
The plan envisions Gaza becoming a weapons-free zone under a transitional governance mechanism overseen by a new international body led directly by the US president. Key provisions include:
- Release of all Israeli captives within 72 hours of approval in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
- Immediate ceasefire and halting of hostilities.
- Disarmament of armed groups in Gaza.
- Gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces.
- Administration of Gaza by a technocratic authority under international supervision.
Israel has enforced a blockade on Gaza for nearly 18 years, tightening restrictions in March by closing border crossings and halting food and medical aid deliveries. The siege has deepened famine and humanitarian crises in the enclave of 2.4 million people.
Since October 2023, Israeli bombardments have killed nearly 66,300 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to local and international reports. The United Nations and humanitarian agencies warn that Gaza is on the brink of becoming uninhabitable, with starvation, disease, and mass displacement accelerating the crisis.
