[ad_1]
US President Donald Trump says Israel must stop bombing Gaza immediately and that he believes Hamas is ready for peace after a statement by the Palestinian militant group.
“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!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Hamas agreed to some of the terms in Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war in a statement issued on Saturday, including releasing hostages, but avoided addressing more vexing issues like disarmament and said it would seek further negotiations.
Hamas issued its response to Trump’s 20-point plan after the president gave the Palestinian militant group until Sunday to accept or reject the proposal.
It was unclear if the US or Israel would be willing to engage in further negotiations on the plan’s terms.
Hamas did not say if it would agree to disarm and demilitarise Gaza — something Israel and the US want but Hamas has rejected before. It also did not agree to an Israeli withdrawal in stages, as opposed to the immediate, full withdrawal Hamas demands.
On Friday, the White House urged Hamas to accept the proposal or face grave consequences. There was also no immediate comment from Israel, which backs the proposal.
A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group would not disarm before Israel’s occupation of the enclave ends, comments that underscored the gap between the parties as the war approaches its two-year mark.
Further negotiations
In its response to Trump’s plan, Hamas said it “appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of US President Donald Trump, calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, (and) the immediate entry of aid,” among other terms.
It said it was announcing its “approval of releasing all occupation prisoners — both living and remains — according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.”
But Hamas added: “In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter, through the mediators, into negotiations to discuss the details.”
The group said it was ready “to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing.”
Hamas has previously offered to release all hostages and to hand over administration of the Gaza Strip to a different body.
Earlier on Friday, Trump warned that “all HELL” would break out in Gaza if Hamas fails to sign up to his proposal for the enclave.
“An agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Trump added: “Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.”
After presenting his plan to Arab and Muslim nations last week, Trump hosted Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House where the Israeli prime minister endorsed the document, saying it satisfied Israel’s war aims.
Hamas was not involved in the negotiations that led to the proposal, which calls on the Islamist militant group to disarm, a demand it has previously rejected.
Israel has bombarded Gaza since Hamas’ October 7 2023 attack in which more than 1,200 people, including an estimated 30 children, were killed and over 200 hostages taken, according to the Israeli government.
More than 66,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the health ministry in Gaza.
The October 7 attack was a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
[ad_2]
Source link
