Hamas Agrees to Release Israeli Hostages, but Key Issues Stall U.S. Peace Plan
“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.” — U.S. President Donald Trump
A Conditional Breakthrough
Hamas announced Friday that it is prepared to release all remaining Israeli hostages, both living and dead, under a U.S.-brokered proposal, but emphasized that critical aspects of the peace plan still require negotiation.
The group’s statement said it would act “according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal,” contingent on conditions being met. Hamas also reaffirmed its willingness to transfer administrative control of Gaza to an independent Palestinian technocratic body supported by regional states. However, it notably avoided committing to one of the plan’s central requirements: Hamas’s disarmament and withdrawal from political life in Gaza.
Trump’s Deadline and Response
The announcement followed a stark ultimatum from President Trump, who had given Hamas a Sunday deadline to accept his 20-point peace plan. Hours after Hamas responded, Trump declared on Truth Social: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.” He urged Israel to halt its bombing campaign to allow hostages to be released “safely and quickly.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the administration’s stance, warning that “the consequences of turning down the deal would be very grave” for Hamas.
Details of the Peace Plan
The U.S. plan calls for:
An immediate halt to fighting.
The release of 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of deceased hostages within 72 hours, in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans.
Full humanitarian aid access to Gaza once both sides agree.
Governance of Gaza by a neutral Palestinian technocratic administration, excluding Hamas.
A pathway left open for an eventual Palestinian state.
According to Israeli and U.S. estimates, Hamas is still holding 48 hostages, with only about 20 believed to be alive.
Diverging Positions
While European and Middle Eastern leaders have cautiously welcomed the U.S. initiative, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately restated his opposition to a Palestinian state. “We said we would strongly oppose a Palestinian state,” he said in a video statement shortly after the plan’s unveiling. Hamas, for its part, says broader issues concerning Palestinian rights and Gaza’s future remain under internal discussion and must be resolved “within a national framework.”
Context of the War
The hostage issue has remained at the heart of Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza. The campaign began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken.
Since then, more than 66,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry. In just the past 24 hours, at least 63 were reported dead as Israeli forces tightened their siege on Gaza City. Hundreds of thousands of residents have fled south, though many remain trapped amid the bombardment.
Israel says its operations are aimed at eliminating Hamas and freeing the remaining hostages. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned this week that those who stayed in Gaza City during the offensive would be considered “terrorists and supporters of terror.”
Humanitarian agencies strongly dispute the claim that civilians can be safely relocated. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder condemned Israel’s so-called humanitarian zones as “farcical,” noting that schools designated as shelters have been repeatedly bombed.
What Comes Next
The U.S. push has temporarily opened a pathway toward de-escalation. But with Hamas refusing to disarm, Netanyahu rejecting statehood, and Israel’s military pressing forward, the plan remains fragile. Trump has said that if Hamas does not comply, Israel will have U.S. backing to “finish the job.” For now, the release of hostages appears within reach, but the deeper political questions at the heart of the conflict remain unresolved.
