Israel is readying itself to implement the first stage of US President Donald Trump’s 20 point plan to return the hostages and end the war in Gaza, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed early on Saturday morning, October 4.
“We will 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,” the PMO office said.
Trump earlier demanded Israel stop bombing Gaza “immediately” after Hamas said on Friday night it is willing to release all hostages in an effort to re-enter negotiations over Trump’s deal to end the war in Gaza.
Hamas late Friday night said in a statement it would release all hostages, living and dead, “according to the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s proposal, provided that field conditions necessary for the exchange are secured.”
Hamas officials later told international media that it would likely take longer than the 72 hours outlined in the US proposal to release them.
Hamas senior official Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that it would take longer than 72 hours to release the living hostages and the bodies of those killed – claiming that such a deadline was unrealistic under the current circumstances.
Hamas gave mediators its response to US President Donald Trump’s plan for ending the Gaza war earlier Friday evening and promised that it would approve transferring the power of the Gaza Strip over to a Palestinian governing body that would be elected “based on Palestinian national consensus and with Arab and Islamic support.”
Marzouk promised the handover of power would come with the transfer of weapons from Hamas to the future Palestinian rulers.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! 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.”
Hamas officials stated that Trump’s response to the agreement has been “encouraging.”
“President Trump’s statements on the immediate cessation of Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip are encouraging,” Hamas spokesman Taher al-Nunu told AFP.
“Hamas is ready to immediately begin negotiations to achieve a prisoner exchange, end the war, and ensure the withdrawal of the (Israeli) army from the Gaza Strip,” he added.
Palestinian-American mediator Bishara Bahbah told Al Arabiya that mediators have already begun discussions with Hamas to reach an agreement on the disputed areas of the deal, and Trump’s speedy response to Hamas confirms he likely did not consult with Netanyahu.
One political source told N12 News that Jerusalem believed the terms of the deal were final. “There is full cooperation and coordination with the US, also regarding the timetable. We have passed the negotiation stage,” a political source told N12.
The source added that Israel will not conduct renewed negotiations on the proposal, which Jerusalem considers to be final.
“Despite reports about the plan that talks about releasing all the hostages, I believe we will see a gradual move here…This is the American insistence on releasing all the hostages together,” a source involved in the negotiations told N12.
“Trump demanded to be directly involved. The Americans are mobilized with all their might. Trump wants to end the war and return all the hostages.”
While Trump’s press secretary expressed that Hamas’s response was an acceptance of the deal, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid shared, “President Trump is right that there is an unprecedented opportunity here to release the hostages and end the war. Israel should announce that it is joining discussions led by President Trump to close the final details regarding the deal. I informed the American administration that Netanyahu has political backing to continue the process.”
The militant organization added that regarding the “other issues included in President Trump’s proposal concerning the future of the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, these are linked to a comprehensive national position and to relevant international laws and resolutions.”
Hamas said that these will be discussed in a “unified Palestinian national framework in which Hamas will participate and contribute responsibly.” The acceptance came hours after Trump issued an ultimatum to the terror group, insisting Hamas had until Sunday to accept the deal or face “all HELL like no one has ever seen before.”
Pressure on Hamas to accept the deal also came as Trump’s 20 point plan gained backing from the heads of Islamic nations, including some of Hamas’s allies.
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