Washington, 3 October 2025 — U.S. President Donald J. Trump has called on Israel to immediately stop its bombing campaign in Gaza, following a statement from Hamas indicating readiness to release all Israeli hostages under the terms of his proposed peace plan.
Trump’s Call for Restraint
In a post 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… this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
The remarks came hours after Hamas announced it would free all hostages, alive and deceased, and enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details of Trump’s 20‑point Gaza peace proposal.
The Peace Plan Framework
Unveiled earlier this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the plan calls for:
- An immediate ceasefire.
- The release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
- A staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
- The transfer of Gaza’s administration to a technocratic Palestinian authority backed by Arab and Islamic states.
While Hamas has accepted key elements, it has not committed to disarmament, a central demand of both Israel and the U.S.
Reactions and Next Steps
Israel has yet to formally respond to Hamas’ statement, though Netanyahu has previously warned that if Hamas rejects the plan, Israel will “finish the job by itself.” Mediators including Egypt and Qatar are expected to play a role in facilitating talks.
Trump, who earlier threatened “all hell” if Hamas refused his proposal, framed the group’s response as a potential breakthrough. “This is not about Gaza alone,” he said, “this is about long sought peace in the Middle East.”
The coming days will determine whether the tentative opening leads to a historic ceasefire agreement or collapses under long‑standing disputes over Gaza’s future governance and Hamas’ role.
