US President Donald Trump ordered Israel to immediately stop bombing the Gaza Strip after the Palestinian group Hamas indicated a partial acceptance of his peace plan, which includes the release of all remaining Israeli hostages. This development, which came after an ultimatum set by the US President, marks the closest the two sides have been to a comprehensive de escalation in the nearly two year long conflict. The move represents a major diplomatic push by the US administration to secure a ceasefire and the return of the captives.
Hamas released a statement agreeing to the release of all Israeli prisoners, both living and deceased, according to the exchange formula contained within President Trump's proposal. The group also signalled its willingness to hand over the administration of Gaza to a Palestinian body of independent technocrats, in line with one aspect of the proposal. However, Hamas noted that certain provisions in the plan would require further negotiation with other Palestinian factions, and its statement made no mention of agreeing to disarm, a key demand in the peace plan.
President Trump responded to the Hamas statement by posting on social media, stating his belief that they are ready for a lasting peace. He then urged Israel to immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, arguing that continued strikes made the safe and swift release of hostages too dangerous. The President emphasized that the current discussions extend beyond Gaza, aiming for long sought peace in the entire Middle East. This order underscores the unprecedented nature of the negotiations and the level of direct involvement by the US President.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office responded by stating that Israel is preparing for the immediate implementation of the first stage of the Trump plan for the release of all hostages. The statement affirmed Israel’s commitment to working with President Trump and his team to end the war in accordance with principles laid out by Israel that align with the US vision. However, the Israeli statement did not explicitly mention Trump’s demand to cease the bombing of Gaza. Reports suggest that Israeli military operations have been instructed to be reduced to a minimum following the President’s order.
The US proposed plan, unveiled earlier this week, outlines an immediate ceasefire, a complete hostage prisoner exchange, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of a transitional government under international supervision. While Hamas’ partial acceptance is a significant step, the sticking points surrounding disarmament, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and Gaza’s future governance will be central to the upcoming mediated talks. International leaders have widely welcomed the developments, urging all parties to seize this opportunity to end the tragic conflict.
