New Delhi, Oct 4: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will “immediately implement the first phase” of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan following Hamas’s announcement that it is ready to release all remaining Israeli hostages.
“In light of Hamas’s response, Israel is preparing to immediately implement the first phase of Trump’s plan. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement translated from Hebrew. He added that Israel would continue to work “in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles set forth by Israel that are consistent with President Trump’s vision.”Hamas earlier told it is prepared to release all Israeli captives under Trump’s proposal, while seeking further negotiations on several key points. A spokesperson called Trump’s remarks “encouraging,” saying the group was ready to begin talks “to achieve a prisoner exchange, end the war, and secure the withdrawal of the occupation.”
Hamas also confirmed it was willing to hand over Gaza’s administration to an independent Palestinian body, backed by Arab and Islamic consensus, reports BBC.
Responding to Hamas’s move, Trump released a video message from the Oval Office, calling it “a big day” and thanking Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt for their mediation efforts. “We’re very close to achieving peace in the Middle East,” he said, adding: “We have to get the final word down and concrete. I look forward to having the hostages come home to their parents.”
On his Truth Social account, Trump urged Israel to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza, saying Hamas appeared “ready for a lasting PEACE.” He said the priority was to secure the hostages’ release quickly and safely.
Qatar also welcomed Hamas’s statement, saying it supported Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the safe release of hostages. Doha confirmed it was coordinating with Egypt and the US to restart ceasefire talks.
Trump had set Hamas a Sunday deadline to accept the 20-point peace plan, already approved by Israel, which calls for an immediate ceasefire, a staged prisoner exchange, Hamas’s disarmament, and a new governance structure for Gaza excluding the group’s leadership.
