Hamas said Friday it has agreed to release all Israeli hostages, both living and dead, under U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace proposal for Gaza. The group said it is ready to enter mediated negotiations but stressed that other parts of the plan still require discussion.
The announcement came just hours after Trump gave Hamas until Sunday evening, Washington time, to accept the plan or face what he called “all hell.”
Hostage release at the core
In its statement, Hamas said it agreed “to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal” if field conditions for the exchanges were met.
🚨 BREAKING: Hamas ACCEPTS President Trump’s plan for all hostages to be released after he threatened them with “all hell breaking” loose by 6PM.
Good move to listen to 47.
Trump is the peace president — and it isn’t even close. pic.twitter.com/1NUk81ktav
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 3, 2025
The plan, announced at the White House on September 29, calls for a ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas, and the creation of a temporary governing authority in Gaza. It also stipulates that within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance, 20 living hostages and the remains of others held by Hamas would be returned in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
There are believed to be 48 hostages still held in Gaza. Israeli officials say only about 20 are thought to be alive.
Governance and the future of Gaza
Hamas said it also “renews its agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats), based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.”
Hamas responds to Trump's peace proposal (!)
The group appears to agree in principle to some key matters but says it is willing to negotiate others. Broadly selective response. Says it's willing to discuss many of the 20 points, but doesn't state it agrees to them pic.twitter.com/NOaPeISLXx
— Gram Slattery (@G_Slattery) October 3, 2025
But the group added that issues regarding Gaza’s long-term future and Palestinian rights are still being discussed “within a national framework.”
Israel and U.S. reactions
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled support for Trump’s proposal, but with conditions. He later repeated his opposition to a Palestinian state, saying in a video statement: “It’s not written in the agreement. We said we would strongly oppose a Palestinian state.”
At the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the consequences for Hamas if it rejects the deal would be “very grave.” She added that the group has “an opportunity to accept this plan and move forward in a peaceful and prosperous manner in the region. If they don’t, the consequences, unfortunately, are going to be very tragic.”
International response
European and Middle Eastern leaders welcomed Trump’s plan. The Palestinian Authority called the U.S. effort “sincere and determined.” Pakistan, which initially voiced support, later said the announced points did not fully match proposals from Muslim-majority states.
Humanitarian crisis continues
The push for a ceasefire comes as Israel expands its offensive in Gaza City. Israel’s defense minister said forces were “tightening the siege” around the city to pressure Hamas.
The Hamas-run health ministry said at least 66,288 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023, including 63 in the past 24 hours. Hundreds of thousands of residents have fled, though many remain trapped.
James Elder, a spokesman for UNICEF, said conditions in so-called humanitarian safe zones were “farcical,” warning that shelters and schools continue to come under fire.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
