U.S. President Tells Israel to Halt Bombing of Gaza as Hamas is Ready for Peace

World 09:21 AM - 2025-10-04

President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday called on Israel to immediately cease its bombardment of Gaza, following Hamas’ announcement that it would release hostages and accept key elements of a U.S.-backed plan aimed at ending the conflict. However, critical issues such as disarmament remain unresolved.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel was preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the first stage of Trump’s Gaza plan, which involves the release of Israeli hostages after Hamas issued its response.

Shortly afterwards, Israeli media reported that the country’s political leadership had instructed the military to scale back offensive operations in Gaza.

Hamas, the Palestinian movement controlling Gaza, issued a formal response to President Trump’s 20-point proposal after the U.S. president warned the group it had until Sunday to agree or face “grave consequences.”

“Hamas has shown that it is ready for a lasting peace,” President Trump declared, urging Netanyahu’s government to act. “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza so that we can secure the safe and swift release of hostages,” he wrote on Truth Social. “This is not only about Gaza — it is about long-sought peace in the Middle East.”

Netanyahu’s office responded by pledging to “continue working in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war, in accordance with the principles set out by Israel, which align with President Trump’s vision.”

Families of hostages held in Gaza issued renewed appeals for PM Netanyahu to “immediately order negotiations for the return of all captives.” The prime minister faces mounting domestic pressure — from families of the abducted and a war-weary public urging an end to the conflict — while simultaneously contending with hardline voices within his far-right coalition demanding that Israel maintain its campaign in Gaza.

Israel launched its offensive following the Hamas-led attack of 7 October 2023, which killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken into Gaza. According to Israeli data, 48 hostages remain in captivity, 20 of them alive.

The military campaign has since killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, the majority civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Much of Gaza lies in ruins, and aid restrictions have driven parts of the enclave into famine. A U.N. Commission of Inquiry and several human rights experts have accused Israel of committing genocide, allegations the Netanyahu government rejects, insisting it is acting in self-defence.

In its response to President Trump’s plan, Hamas did not explicitly agree to disarm — a demand repeatedly rejected by the movement — nor to a phased Israeli withdrawal, instead calling for an immediate and complete pull-out.

A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera the group would not disarm until Israel’s occupation of the territory ends, highlighting the deep divide between the parties.

President Trump’s Ceasefire Proposal

Qatar confirmed that it had begun coordination with Egypt and the United States to pursue mediation efforts surrounding Trump’s plan.

The proposal includes:

* an immediate ceasefire;
* the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners;
* a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza;
* the disarmament of Hamas;
* and the establishment of a transitional authority under international auspices.

Hamas welcomed international and regional efforts to end the war and confirmed its “approval of releasing all prisoners of the occupation — both living and deceased — under the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal.” The group signalled its readiness to engage in mediated negotiations over implementation.

It also expressed willingness to transfer Gaza’s administration to a technocratic body based on Palestinian national consensus, with Arab and Islamic backing. However, it did not explicitly address Trump’s proposal that Hamas be excluded from governance, instead insisting it should “contribute” to any national dialogue on Gaza’s future.

Earlier in the day, President Trump warned of “all hell” breaking loose in Gaza if Hamas failed to accept his plan by the Sunday deadline. Notably, Hamas was not directly involved in the negotiations that produced President Trump’s proposal.

Source: Reuters



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