Hamas agrees to free all Israeli hostages under Trump’s Gaza plan, Israel continues strikes

In a major development, Hamas announced on Friday that it is ready to release all Israeli hostages under the framework of US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza plan.

The move comes after Trump issued an ultimatum earlier this week, demanding the group accept his 20-point peace initiative or face severe consequences.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel is preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the first stage of the plan, which centers on freeing hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The announcement follows Hamas’ official response to the US proposal, which Trump has positioned as the pathway to “long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”

On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! 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.”

Despite Trump’s directive, residents reported that Israeli forces continued military operations. Witnesses said tanks shelled Talateeni Street, a key artery in Gaza City, while airstrikes intensified in the Remal neighborhood. Strikes were also reported in Khan Younis, though no casualties were immediately confirmed.

Israel has not yet issued an official statement on Hamas’ response or Trump’s demand to halt bombings. However, opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu to move forward with the US-led negotiations. On X, he posted: “Israel should announce it is joining the discussions led by the president to finalize the details of the deal.”

Families of hostages held in Gaza also pressed Netanyahu to begin negotiations without delay. “To immediately order negotiations for the return of all hostages” was their demand, according to a joint statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Hamas’ announcement, saying on X: “Hamas' commitment must be followed up without delay.” Macron has been at the forefront of efforts to push for Palestinian state recognition as part of broader conflict resolution.

Meanwhile, Qatar confirmed it has begun coordinating with Egypt and the US to advance negotiations around Trump’s proposal.

While Hamas expressed appreciation for “Arab, Islamic, and international efforts” and endorsed key elements of Trump’s plan - including hostages-for-prisoners exchange, a ceasefire, and entry of aid - the group stopped short of agreeing to some of the plan’s more contentious points.

Notably, Hamas did not commit to disarmament or a staged Israeli withdrawal, two demands emphasised by both Washington and Tel Aviv. A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that disarmament would not occur before Israel’s occupation ends.

Hamas did signal willingness to transfer governance of Gaza to a Palestinian technocratic body supported by Arab and Islamic states. However, the group also insisted it should not be excluded from future discussions on Gaza’s political framework, complicating Trump’s proposal that Hamas be barred from power.

Earlier in the day, Trump warned that “all HELL” would break out if Hamas failed to comply with the Sunday deadline he had set. Despite not being part of the initial negotiations, Hamas’ formal response indicates it is open to mediated talks on implementing the plan’s provisions.

As the conflict nears its two-year mark, tens of thousands have been killed, and international pressure on Israel has mounted amid UN accusations of genocide.