In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Hamas announced Friday evening that it has agreed to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, as outlined in a peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The development marks the most promising step yet toward ending the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza.
In a statement, the Palestinian militant group confirmed its acceptance of the core component of Trump’s plan: a comprehensive prisoner exchange. However, Hamas requested further negotiations on other elements of the proposal and notably did not commit to laying down its arms — a central demand in the U.S. peace initiative unveiled earlier this week.
Hamas said it agreed to “the release of all occupation prisoners – both living and remaining – according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.” The group also indicated willingness to cede administrative control of Gaza to a neutral “Palestinian body of independent technocrats” backed by Arab and Islamic nations.
President Trump hailed Hamas’s announcement as a historic step toward peace and called on Israel to suspend its ongoing airstrikes on Gaza to ensure the safe release of hostages. “Based on the statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding that talks were already underway to finalize the details.
“This is a very special day,” the president declared. “This isn’t just about Gaza — it’s about bringing long-sought PEACE to the Middle East.”
The Israeli government responded positively to the news, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stating that the country is “preparing for the immediate implementation” of the first phase of the Trump plan. However, it stopped short of agreeing to an immediate ceasefire, a key component of Trump’s proposal.
The plan envisions a phased process beginning with a 72-hour ceasefire to facilitate the prisoner exchange, followed by a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, the disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of a transitional authority under international oversight. The plan also includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid and a large-scale reconstruction effort to rebuild Gaza, where ongoing war has led to devastating human and infrastructure losses.
Despite the apparent progress, challenges remain. A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that while the group is prepared to release hostages and relinquish political control of Gaza, it will not disarm until Israel fully withdraws from the territory — signaling potential roadblocks in implementing the full scope of the plan.
Analysts view Hamas’s agreement to release hostages as a watershed moment in the conflict, creating the strongest opening yet for peace negotiations since fighting erupted nearly two years ago. While significant hurdles remain — particularly on issues of demilitarization and long-term governance — the agreement is being seen as a rare moment of optimism in a region long plagued by intractable conflict.
International observers are watching closely as diplomatic channels intensify. Whether the Trump plan ultimately leads to a durable peace remains to be seen, but for the first time in months, the prospect of an end to hostilities appears within reach.
