By Frank Ulom
GAZA (CONVERSEER) – Hamas has agreed to release all Israeli hostages held in Gaza and surrender governing power in the territory as part of a peace initiative brokered by US President Donald Trump, marking a significant development in efforts to end the nearly two-year war.
According to The Guardian UK, the Palestinian militant group announced on Friday evening that it had accepted key elements of Trump’s ultimatum, including a comprehensive prisoner exchange and the transfer of administrative authority in Gaza to a new Palestinian-led technocratic body.
In a statement, Hamas said it was giving its “approval of releasing all occupation prisoners – both living and remains – according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.”
The group added that it was prepared to hand over the governance of the Gaza Strip to “a Palestinian body of independent technocrats based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing.”
Hamas, however, indicated that “other issues” in Trump’s proposal required further negotiations “within a unified Palestinian national framework”. These issues are believed to include disarmament, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and international guarantees for a permanent ceasefire.
Despite the group’s qualified response, Trump welcomed the development and immediately ordered Israel to stop its bombing campaign in Gaza to enable the safe and swift release of hostages. “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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.”
Trump described the day as “very special” and “maybe unprecedented,” saying discussions on outstanding details were already underway.
Hamas’s acceptance of the hostage exchange represents a major shift in its negotiating position. The group has long used the 48 hostages captured during the 7 October 2023 attack as leverage. Their release would deprive Hamas of a critical bargaining tool, signalling its readiness to consider a broader political settlement.
The proposal, unveiled by Trump on Monday, outlines a framework for ending the conflict. It calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners within 72 hours of signing, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of a transitional authority led by Trump. It also includes provisions for large-scale humanitarian aid delivery and reconstruction of Gaza.
The plan has been widely welcomed by regional and international actors. Qatar and Egypt, which have played key mediation roles throughout the conflict, said they had begun coordinating with the US to advance negotiations.
A spokesman for UN Secretary General António Guterres urged all parties to “seize the opportunity to bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to an end.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Hamas’s acceptance “a significant step forwards” and urged for the plan’s immediate implementation. French President Emmanuel Macron said that “the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach,” while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described it as “the best chance for peace” since the war began.
The conflict erupted on 7 October 2023 when Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 in southern Israel. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians and wounded about 170,000, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Thousands more are believed to be buried beneath rubble or have died from indirect consequences of the war.
With the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorating under continued Israeli bombardment and blockade, Hamas has faced mounting international and regional pressure to agree to a ceasefire. Its willingness to release hostages and relinquish power may pave the way for the most significant breakthrough yet in ending the conflict.
