Hamas agrees to free the Israeli hostage, but wants to change the US Peace Plan for Gaza / Trump asks Israel to stop bombing
A convoy of refugees in Gaza. Photo source: Hasan Alzaanin / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Hamas announced on Friday that he has agreed to release all Israeli, living or dead hostages, in accordance with the terms of US President Donald Trump's proposal to cease hostilities in Gaza, and expressed his willingness to go into negotiations to discuss details, Reuters reports. In a message posted on social networks, the White House leader later asked Israel to cease his bombing in Gaza, in order to take out the hostages, considering that the militant group is willing to make peace.
Hamas said on Friday that he will agree with some aspects of US President Donald Trump to put an end to the war in Gaza, including the issuance of hostages and teaching the enclave administration, but will seek negotiations on many of the other conditions, writes news.ro.
In a copy of the statement seen by Reuters, Hamas formulated his response to Trump's 20-point plan, after the US president gave the Palestinian militant group until Sunday evening to accept or reject the proposal.
Trump did not say whether the terms would be subjected to negotiation, as Hamas wishes, but had threatened the Palestinian group that he would unleash the “hell”, if he did not accept the plan.
It is worth noting that Hamas did not specify whether he will accept a disarmament clause, a requirement of Israel and the US he has previously rejected, says Reuters.
In his statement, Hamas states that “he appreciates the Arab, Islamic and International Efforts, as well as the efforts of US President Donald Trump, who requests the cessation of the war in the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners (and) the immediate entry of aid”, among other conditions.
Hamas states that he announces “the approval of the release of all the prisoners of the occupation – both those alive and their remains – according to the exchange formula contained in the proposal of President Trump, with the necessary conditions for the implementation of the exchange”.
But he adds: “In this context, the movement states its willingness to enter immediately, through mediators, in negotiations to discuss the details.”
The group claims that it is ready to “teach the administration of the gaza strip of a Palestinian body consisting of independents (technocrats), based on the Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic support.”
Trump's plan specifies an immediate armistice, an exchange of all Hamas hostages with Palestinians held by Israel, a gradual withdrawal of Israel in Gaza, disarming Hamas and introducing a transitional government led by an international body.
The US president asked Israel on Friday night to cease his bombing in Gaza, saying that, after reading the Hamas statement, he believes that the Islamist movement “is prepared for a sustainable peace.”
“Based on the statement issued by Hamas, I think they are prepared for a sustainable peace. Israel must immediately stop the bombings in Gaza, so that we can get the hostages safe and fast!” Donald Trump wrote. “At this moment, it is too dangerous to do this,” he added referring to the issuance of hostages.
“We are already in discussions about the details to be developed,” said Trump.
