Gaza (QNN)- Hamas has submitted its response to US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan to end the two-year genocide, agreeing to release all Israeli captives. World leaders have welcomed the response and are calling for an immediate end to the Israeli assault.
The Palestinian group handed over its response to Trump’s 20-point plan to halt the war on Friday, which included demands for an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of all remaining 48 Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners, and the introduction of a transitional government led by an international body.
What Was Hamas’s Response?
The group’s response stated that it had agreed “to release all occupation captives – both living and the remains – according to the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s proposal, with the provision of field conditions necessary for the exchange”.
It added that it was ready to “immediately enter negotiations through mediators to discuss the details” of the exchange.
The group also 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 with Arab and Islamic support.”
Signalling that further negotiations would be required, it said aspects of the proposal touching on “the future of the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people” should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous national position and relevant international laws and resolutions”.
How Trump Responded?
Trump welcomed the Hamas response, and wrote on his Truth Social site that he believes the Palestinian group is “ready for a lasting PEACE”.
In a major announcement, he also said that “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza” so that the captives could be released.
“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,” he wrote.
Trump then released a video message reiterating that he considered Hamas’s response a win.
“This is a big day. We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete,” he said. “I just want to let you know that this is a very special day… Everyone was unified in wanting this war to end and seeing peace in the Middle East, and we’re very close to achieving that.”
World Reacts to Hamas’s Response
World leaders have also welcomed the group’s response and called on Israel to stop the genocide immediately. Here’re some reactions:
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she renews her “full support for President Trump’s efforts to bring peace to the Middle East”, as she said the “priority for all must now be to reach a ceasefire that leads to the immediate release of all the hostages”.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Hamas’s “acceptance of the US peace plan is a significant step forward”. He also said President Trump’s plan had “brought us closer to peace than ever before”.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Canberra “welcomes progress on President Trump’s plan to bring peace to Gaza”. He called on Hamas to “agree to the plan, lay down its arms and release all remaining hostages without delay”.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he agrees with Trump “this time”, as he demanded the “cessation of the genocide”. Petro added that if Trump “moves his army to stop the oppression over Palestine, that army will be accompanied by the army of Colombia”.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said it welcomed Hamas’s statement, as well as its “readiness to release all hostages”. It also supported Trump’s call for Israel to immediately halt its attacks on Gaza.
Egypt expressed its “appreciation” for the Hamas statement, as well as the US leader’s “realistic political vision” to achieve “peace and stability” in the Middle East. Egypt said it hoped this “positive development” would lead to all parties rising “to the level of responsibility required” to end the war.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Hamas’s response as a “constructive and a significant step toward achieving lasting peace”, as he called on Israel to “immediately stop all its attacks”.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Hamas’s commitment “must be followed up without delay”, saying there is an opportunity to “make decisive progress towards peace”.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said “peace in Gaza and the release of the hostages are within reach”.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “encouraged” by Hamas’s statement, as he urged all parties to “seize the opportunity” to bring the assault to an end.
Canadian PM Mark Carney said, “We stand ready to support the sustained, unimpeded, and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza” and “welcomes commitments from Hamas.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said this “must now result in an immediate ceasefire, end to Palestinian suffering, ensure hostages release, and allow free flow of humanitarian aid. Israel MUST immediately stop its attacks.”
