Trump tells Israel to halt Gaza assault 'immediately' after Hamas response to peace plan

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said that he believes Hamas is ready for a "lasting peace," after Hamas’ replied to a US-backed ceasefire and hostage-exchange plan Friday.

In a post to Truth social on Friday, Trump said that Hamas' response to the ceasefire indicates the group is ready for peace and called on Israel to "immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly."

He added 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."

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in Washington on Monday that Israel had agreed to a 20-point US plan to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas. 

The plan outlines an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance. In exchange, Israel will release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences, 1,700 detainees from Gaza and the remains of 15 Gazans for each deceased Israeli hostage returned. 

The deal also grants amnesty to Hamas members who agree to disarm and would offer those individuals safe passage abroad. 

The plan also envisions Gaza being temporarily administered by a “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee” of local experts and international specialists. Oversight would be provided by a “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump and including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and other heads of state until the Palestinian Authority completes a reform program. 

Following Trump's statement, Axios reported that Netanyahu was "surprised" by Trump's response, citing a senior Israeli official. According to Axios, the official said that Netanyahu viewed Hamas' response as a refusal of the peace plan. 

Hamas’ response, which came on Friday and was posted by Trump to Truth Social, announced the group’s “approval of releasing all occupation prisoners — both living and remains,” but added that this release will take place “with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange,” indicating a departure from the outlined 72-hour timeline.  

Hamas said it was immediately ready to enter negotiations over the details of the exchange “through the mediators.” 

Hamas also affirmed “its approval to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on a Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing.”  

Hamas stopped short of a full embrace of the plan. Other points of Trump’s plan, the group said, are “tied to a collective national position and in accordance with relevant international laws and resolutions, to be discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian national framework, in which Hamas will be included and contribute with full responsibility.”  

This developing story has been updated.