Trump Orders Israel to Halt Gaza Bombing After Hamas Response
Washington (QNN)- Donald Trump has posted a new statement on Truth Social on Friday. He called on Israel to immediately stop bombing Gaza after Hamas resistance movement issued a positive response to his plan. The statement came shortly after the US President published Hamas’ response translated to English on his account.
Trump said Hamas appeared ready for “a lasting peace.” He argued that Israel must halt its assault so that Israeli soldier prisoners can be released safely and quickly. “Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that,” he wrote. He added that talks were already underway on the details. “This is not about Gaza alone,” Trump said. “This is about long sought peace in the Middle East.”
Earlier, Hamas issued a formal statement in response to Trump’s proposal for Gaza. The resistance movement said it had held internal consultations, discussions with Palestinian factions, and talks with mediators before finalizing its position.
Hamas said it welcomes Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as Trump’s call to halt the war, allow humanitarian aid, and reject both occupation and forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
The group announced that it is ready to release all Israeli prisoners, alive and dead, under the exchange terms proposed by Trump. It also confirmed its willingness to enter immediate negotiations through mediators to finalize the exchange.
Hamas further agreed to transfer the administration of Gaza to an independent Palestinian technocratic authority. This body would be formed through national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic states.
On other issues in Trump’s plan, Hamas said any decisions about Gaza’s future and Palestinian national rights must be addressed in a comprehensive Palestinian framework based on international law. Hamas pledged to participate in such a process “responsibly.”
A New Turning Point?
Trump’s demand that Israel halt its offensive marks a sharp shift in tone. For months, he echoed Israeli claims of destroying Hamas. Now, his message suggests that a ceasefire is necessary to secure Israeli soldier prisoners and pursue a wider peace deal.
The Hamas response, which has been described as genius and cautious, shows readiness for negotiations under certain conditions: an end to war, full Israeli withdrawal, and international guarantees for Palestinian rights.
Whether Israel will comply with Trump’s order remains uncertain. But the back-to-back statements have opened a new phase in the debate to end the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
In January alone, Israeli forces and settlers carried out 28 raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevented the call to prayer 57 times at the Ibrahimi Mosque, an official report said.
Israel is holding the bodies of around 777 identified Palestinians, including 88 detainees who died in Israeli prisons amid reports of torture and medical negligence, according to a Palestinian organization advocating for their release.
Only five of the 450 Palestinian patients in critical condition will be allowed to leave the Gaza Strip on Monday, after Israel reopened the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt for limited traffic following two years of genocide and nearly 20 months of closure.
Trump said Hamas appeared ready for “a lasting peace.” He argued that Israel must halt its assault so that Israeli soldier prisoners can be released safely and quickly. “Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that,” he wrote. He added that talks were already underway on the details. “This is not about Gaza alone,” Trump said. “This is about long sought peace in the Middle East.”
Earlier, Hamas issued a formal statement in response to Trump’s proposal for Gaza. The resistance movement said it had held internal consultations, discussions with Palestinian factions, and talks with mediators before finalizing its position.
Hamas said it welcomes Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as Trump’s call to halt the war, allow humanitarian aid, and reject both occupation and forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
The group announced that it is ready to release all Israeli prisoners, alive and dead, under the exchange terms proposed by Trump. It also confirmed its willingness to enter immediate negotiations through mediators to finalize the exchange.
Hamas further agreed to transfer the administration of Gaza to an independent Palestinian technocratic authority. This body would be formed through national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic states.
On other issues in Trump’s plan, Hamas said any decisions about Gaza’s future and Palestinian national rights must be addressed in a comprehensive Palestinian framework based on international law. Hamas pledged to participate in such a process “responsibly.”
