Hamas Agrees to Hostage Release, Seeks Revisions to US-Backed Gaza Peace Plan

Hamas has announced its agreement to release Israeli hostages but is seeking modifications to the US-backed peace proposal aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. The 20-point plan represents the latest diplomatic effort to secure a ceasefire and resolve the ongoing crisis.

The announcement followed a Sunday deadline issued by US President Donald Trump, who warned Hamas to accept the plan or face severe repercussions. While Hamas appears to accept the principle of a hostage exchange, the group indicated a desire for further negotiations on critical issues concerning Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights, stating these points remain under discussion.

In a statement, Hamas confirmed its readiness to release “all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal,” provided the necessary conditions for the exchanges are met. This agreement pertains to the remaining 48 hostages believed to be held in the Palestinian territory, with approximately 20 thought to be alive.

Following Hamas’s response, President Trump posted on Truth Social, expressing optimism: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.” He urged Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” adding that discussions on details were already underway.

Tahir al-Nounou, media adviser to the head of Hamas’s political bureau, told the BBC that President Trump’s statements were encouraging and that the movement was prepared to commence negotiations immediately to achieve a prisoner exchange, end the war, and secure the withdrawal of occupation forces.

Although Hamas’s statement did not explicitly endorse Trump’s 20-point plan, it did “renew its agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats), based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.” However, the statement notably omitted one of the plan’s key demands: Hamas’s disarmament and relinquishment of any future governance role in Gaza.

The US peace plan proposes an immediate cessation of hostilities and the release of 20 living Israeli hostages, along with the remains of deceased hostages, within 72 hours, in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans. It also stipulates that full humanitarian aid would be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip upon agreement.

Under the US plan, Hamas would have no role in governing Gaza, and the proposal leaves the door open for an eventual Palestinian state. However, after Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu jointly announced the plan, Netanyahu reiterated his long-standing opposition to a Palestinian state, stating in a video, “It’s not written in the agreement. We said we would strongly oppose a Palestinian state.”

Hamas’s statement on Friday indicated that the proposals regarding Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights were still being discussed “within a national framework,” in which Hamas expects to be a participant.

Earlier on Friday, Trump had posted on Truth Social: “If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”

On Tuesday, Trump had given Hamas “three to four days” to respond to the peace plan. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed these warnings on Friday, stating that the consequences of rejecting the deal would be “very grave” for Hamas. She emphasized, “Hamas has an opportunity to accept this plan and move forward in a peaceful and prosperous manner in the region. If they don’t, the consequences, unfortunately, are going to be very tragic.”

The proposal has been welcomed by European and Middle Eastern leaders, with the Palestinian Authority (PA) describing the US president’s efforts as “sincere and determined.” Trump has affirmed that if Hamas rejects the plan, Israel would have US backing to “finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas,” a sentiment echoed by Netanyahu, who vowed Israel “will finish the job” if Hamas refuses or fails to comply.

The Israeli military campaign in Gaza began in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since then, at least 66,288 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry, with 63 fatalities reported in the 24 hours leading up to midday Friday.

Israel is currently conducting an offensive in Gaza City, with its defense minister confirming a tightening siege around the city earlier this week. Hundreds of thousands of Gaza City residents have been forced to evacuate to a designated “humanitarian area” in the south, though many thousands are believed to have remained. Israel’s defense minister has warned that those who remain during the offensive would be considered “terrorists and supporters of terror,” asserting the offensive aims to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

James Elder, spokesman for Unicef, on Friday dismissed the idea of a safe zone in southern Gaza as “farcical,” highlighting the consistent bombing of schools designated as temporary shelters.

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