Hamas Signals Peace Talks as Trump’s Deadline Looms for Gaza Hostage Deal
President Donald J. Trump announced today that Hamas appears ready for a “lasting PEACE” in the Middle East, following their statement agreeing to release all 48 remaining Israeli hostages under his proposed Gaza peace plan. This follows Trump’s morning ultimatum, warning of unprecedented devastation if no deal is reached by Sunday, 6 p.m. ET.
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“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
Trump’s Ultimatum
At 7:09 a.m. ET, Trump warned Hamas of annihilation unless they accept his 20-point peace plan, which offers amnesty and regional redevelopment. “More than 25,000 Hamas ‘soldiers’ have already been killed. Most of the rest are surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED,” he wrote, urging innocent Palestinians to leave conflict zones. The plan, endorsed by Israel and Arab states, promises peace “one way or the other.”
Hamas’ Response
Hamas agreed to enter talks for releasing hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained since October 7, 2023. They rejected immediate disarmament but expressed willingness to hand over Gaza’s administration to technocrats, partially aligning with Trump’s plan.
Key Provisions of the Peace Plan
| Key Provisions | Details |
|---|---|
| Hostage-Prisoner Exchange | Hamas releases all 48 hostages; Israel frees 250 life-sentence prisoners + 1,700 detainees. |
| Ceasefire & Withdrawal | Immediate halt to Israeli bombing; phased IDF withdrawal; no forced Palestinian evacuations. |
| Hamas Disarmament | Full decommissioning of weapons; amnesty for members committing to peace. |
| Governance & Aid | Temporary “Board of Peace” hands Gaza to technocrats; unrestricted UN/Red Crescent aid. |
| Long-Term Vision | No Palestinian state commitment; regional economic redevelopment; safe passage for Hamas members. |
Next Steps
With the deadline looming, mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are pushing for an agreement. Israeli strikes continued in Gaza today until Trump asked that all bombing cease. Trump’s team, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, leads talks brokering yet another historic deal for peace in Israel and the Middle East, the most significant since the 2020 Abraham Accords.
