The Palestinian group Hamas has said it is willing to release all captives held in Gaza under the framework of a ceasefire proposal put forward by United States President Donald Trump, in what could mark a significant step towards ending the conflict.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Hamas said it had approved the release of all hostages, “living and remains,” according to the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s plan. The group said it was ready to begin negotiations “to discuss the details.”
Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that the movement would not disarm before the end of the Israeli “occupation” and that decisions regarding Gaza’s future should be made within a “comprehensive Palestinian national framework.”
President Trump welcomed Hamas’s announcement, calling it a “historic opening for lasting peace.” Writing on his Truth Social account, he urged Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly,” describing the plan as a step towards “long-sought peace in the Middle East.”
“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,” Trump wrote.
In a video message, the US president said “everyone would be treated fairly” and thanked Qatar, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and other regional actors for their cooperation.
Qatar, Egypt and Jordan have welcomed Hamas’s response. Doha said it had begun coordination with Washington and Cairo to advance talks, while Egypt’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it was working with Arab, American and European partners to reach a permanent ceasefire. Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Hamas’s response “a constructive and significant step toward achieving lasting peace” and reiterated the need for a two-state solution.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for immediate follow-up on Hamas’s commitment, pledging that France would work “alongside the United States, Israel, the Palestinians and international partners.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there was now “an opportunity to end the fighting, for hostages to return home, and for humanitarian aid to reach those who so desperately need it.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the development as “the best chance for peace in Gaza after nearly two years of war,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed her “full support” for Trump’s initiative.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly taken aback by Trump’s remarks suggesting that Hamas was “ready for a lasting peace.” According to Israel’s Channel 12 News, Netanyahu held consultations with senior officials to coordinate a response and ensure Israel’s position remained aligned with Washington.
Despite international calls for restraint, Israeli air strikes continued on Saturday, killing at least six Palestinians, including two children, in Gaza City and Khan Younis, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing relatives of Israelis held in Gaza, said Trump’s demand to stop the war was “essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm to the hostages,” urging the government to begin “swift negotiations.”
Hamas’s ally, Islamic Jihad, has endorsed the group’s position, saying it “represents the stance of the Palestinian resistance factions.” Meanwhile, the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza said two more vessels had joined the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s mission to challenge Israel’s blockade, bringing the total number of ships to eleven.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described Hamas’s statement as “encouraging” and urged all parties to “seize the opportunity to bring the war in Gaza to an end.”
With renewed diplomatic engagement from Washington and strong backing from regional powers, analysts say the coming days will be crucial. If negotiations progress as outlined, the Trump ceasefire plan could open the way for the first major de-escalation in Gaza in nearly two years — and potentially a wider regional peace initiative.
