President Trump said Friday he believes Hamas is ready for “lasting PEACE” after the Palestinian terror group agreed to free all Israeli hostages – alive and dead – following his strict deadline for them to accept his peace deal.
The commander in chief noted that talks are already underway with Israel and Hamas to end the two-year conflict in war-torn Gaza and ensure the remaining captives are released “safely and quickly.”
“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for lasting PEACE,” Trump posted to Truth Social.
Trump said he believed Hamas was seeking lasting peace. Getty Images“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. 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.”
Trump later thanked Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and “so many other” nations for “fighting so hard” to help end the war, in a video message posted on Truth Social Friday night.
“This is a very special day, maybe unprecedented in many ways,” the president boasted, adding that he’s looking forward to the hostages returning home to their families.
“Everybody was unified in wanting this war to end and seeing peace in the Middle East and we’re very close to achieving that.”
There are believed to be 48 hostages still being held in Gaza – 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
Hamas’ Friday response drew bipartisan reactions – some cautiously hopeful and others skeptical that the terror group will actually release the captives after announcing they are ready to begin mediated talks to end the war.
The Islamic group also said it was willing to hand administrative control of Gaza to an independent Palestinian body — provided it is formed by national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic states
There are believed to be 48 hostages still being held in Gaza — 20 of whom believed to still be alive. MOHAMMED SABER/EPA/Shutterstock“If true, a step in the right direction towards ending the war in Gaza and seeing the immediate return of all the remaining hostages — living and deceased,” New York Rep. Mike Lawler posted on X.
“Actions will speak louder than words. Release the hostages now.”
The remaining 20 living hostages in Gaza (L-R): Avinatan Or, Matan Zanguaker, Alon Ohel, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Eitan Mor,Omri Miran, Bar Kuperstein, Segev Kalfon, Eitan Horn, Maxim Herkin, Guy, Gilboa-Dala,Evyatar, David, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, Nimrod Cohen,, Rom Braslavski,Elkana Bohbot, Matan Angrest, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman
Queens Assemblywoman Nily Rozic said she’ll “believe” Hamas only when every remaining hostage is freed – including Jewish New Yorkers Italy Chen and Omer Neutra. The Democrat cited how the terror group has repeatedly refused deals that continue to prolong “the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians.”
Netanyahu backed the proposal, but said that Israel would “finish the job” if Hamas rejected it. AFP via Getty Images“For the sake of humanity, we can only hope that these accounts are accurate,” said Assemblyman Chuck Lavine (D-Nassau), who also serves as the President of the NY Chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators.
South Carolina GOP Rep. Nancy Mace celebrated the news on social media, adding that she hopes the Nobel Peace Prize committee is “taking notes.”
“President Trump forced Hamas to release all remaining Israeli hostages,” Mace posted on X.
“This is what real American power looks like. We hope the Nobel Peace Prize Committee is taking notes. Trump deserves it. The last American hostage was Edan Alexander and Trump brought him home too. Peace through Strength.”
Republican firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene offered a more muted response, calling for the war to end.
“Too many people have been killed and injured, and peace is badly needed,” the Georgia congresswoman said.
Under the Trump plan, Hamas would disarm, relinquish all governing authority in Gaza.
The news comes after Trump issued a 6 p.m. Sunday deadline for the Islamic group to agree to his peace deal, threatening that “all hell” would break loose if it didn’t.
Trump unveiled the 20-point proposal on Monday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
On Friday, Hamas said it was ready to immediately begin negotiations through mediators to finalize details of the arrangements following “extensive consultations” on Trump’s plan to end the fighting in Gaza.
The framework also envisions an Arab-led stabilization force to maintain security as Israeli troops withdraw in stages but retain a perimeter presence. Yoav Ginsburg/ZUMA Press Wire / SplashNews.comThe plan – backed by Netanyahu — calls for the simultaneous release of all 48 hostages, the Palestinian group’s disarmament, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the creation of a civilian Palestinian governing authority.
Hamas said it would release the hostages once “field conditions are met” — meaning the Jewish state must pull back its forces to the lines outlined in Trump’s peace plan.
The Islamic group also said it’s willing to hand administrative control of Gaza to an independent Palestinian body – as long as it’s formed by national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic states, according to their statement.
However, Hamas stopped short of agreeing to the other conditions in Trump’s deal, saying “they are to be discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian national framework.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham blasted the terror group for its “predictable response.”
“Hamas’ recent response to President Trump’s plan to end the war – which Israel had accepted – is unfortunately predictable. A classic ‘Yes, but,’” the South Carolina Republican said.
“No disarmament, keeping Gaza under Palestinian control, and tying hostage release to negotiations, along with other problems. This is, in essence, a rejection by Hamas of President Trump’s ‘take it or leave it’ proposal.”
Tuesday marks two years since Hamas launched their attack on the Jewish state, killing 1,200 Israeli civilians and soldiers, and taking more than 250 captive.
Israel and Hamas have struck two ceasefires since the attack, briefly halting fighting to allow for prisoner and hostage swaps.
