Gazans hail Trump ceasefire call as Hamas agrees to free hostages
Khan Yunis (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Smoke billowed over Gaza City on Saturday, yet for the first time in months, residents felt a ceasefire was within reach as they welcomed US President Donald Trump's call for Israel to stop bombing.
Issued on: 04/10/2025 - RFI
The aftermath of an Israeli strike in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on August 20, 2025 © BASHAR TALEB / AFP
"Trump's announcement was very surprising to me, as he has always been biased toward Israel," said 24-year-old Jamila al-Sayyid, from Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood.
Despite Trump's appeal, she said "the planes did not stop" bombing, but still felt good about her decision not to flee from the territory's largest urban centre.
"The most important thing is that the ceasefire will take effect and the Israeli prisoners will be released, as they are a pretext for Israel to continue its occupation", she added, referring to the 47 hostages still held in Gaza, including 25 the military says are dead.
Hamas said Friday night it was ready to release the hostages under Trump's ceasefire plan, prompting the US president to urge Israel to immediately stop its strikes.
"I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!" Trump posted on Truth Social after Hamas gave its agreement.
But Israel's military on Saturday warned northern Gaza remained "a dangerous combat zone" and warned residents not to return.
For Sami Adas of Gaza City, however, it was a "day of joy, a great day".
The 50-year-old, who has been living in a tent with his family in the west of Gaza City, the focus area of Israeli military's operations in recent weeks, said any ceasefire would improve his lot.
"The best thing is that President Trump himself announced a ceasefire, and Netanyahu will not be able to escape this time," Adas said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He said the US president "is the only one who can force Israel to comply and stop the war".
Apprehensions remain
Further south, Mahmud Abu Shamala, a 49-year-old living in displacement in the so-called humanitarian area of Al-Mawasi, said that "this ceasefire is a dream I have wished to achieve for two years".
He feared, however, that Israel would not abide by it once Hamas releases the hostages.
Although Trump presented his ceasefire proposal Monday, several sticking points remain.
In talks with Trump, Netanyahu all but rejected the idea of Gaza being governed by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority.
Hamas, for its part, did not address the issue of its own disarmament and the exile of its members, and said more talks were needed to work out the details.
Still, Palestinians felt hope for the first time in months, after ceasefire talks had stalled and Israel attempted to strike Hamas leaders even in Qatar, a key mediator.
"It's enough... the situation is very bad," said Abu Hussein Labad, a displaced man from Jabalia refugee camp.
"I'm injured, and to this day I can't move. The situation is unbearable. God willing, the war will end and we can return to our destroyed homes."
In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinians said Hamas played its hand well under an American ultimatum to respond by Sunday.
"Hamas' stance yesterday was very good," Iyad Safi told AFP.
"God willing, it will be for the good of the people -- the most important thing is the people's interest, that the war stops and things come to an end."
Adnan Naeem, said that "Hamas addressed the urgent issues", in its response.
"The other issues can be discussed later", he said.
(AFP)
"Trump's announcement was very surprising to me, as he has always been biased toward Israel," said 24-year-old Jamila al-Sayyid, from Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood.
Despite Trump's appeal, she said "the planes did not stop" bombing, but still felt good about her decision not to flee from the territory's largest urban centre.
"The most important thing is that the ceasefire will take effect and the Israeli prisoners will be released, as they are a pretext for Israel to continue its occupation", she added, referring to the 47 hostages still held in Gaza, including 25 the military says are dead.
Hamas said Friday night it was ready to release the hostages under Trump's ceasefire plan, prompting the US president to urge Israel to immediately stop its strikes.
"I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!" Trump posted on Truth Social after Hamas gave its agreement.
But Israel's military on Saturday warned northern Gaza remained "a dangerous combat zone" and warned residents not to return.
For Sami Adas of Gaza City, however, it was a "day of joy, a great day".
The 50-year-old, who has been living in a tent with his family in the west of Gaza City, the focus area of Israeli military's operations in recent weeks, said any ceasefire would improve his lot.
"The best thing is that President Trump himself announced a ceasefire, and Netanyahu will not be able to escape this time," Adas said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He said the US president "is the only one who can force Israel to comply and stop the war".
Apprehensions remain
Further south, Mahmud Abu Shamala, a 49-year-old living in displacement in the so-called humanitarian area of Al-Mawasi, said that "this ceasefire is a dream I have wished to achieve for two years".
He feared, however, that Israel would not abide by it once Hamas releases the hostages.
Although Trump presented his ceasefire proposal Monday, several sticking points remain.
In talks with Trump, Netanyahu all but rejected the idea of Gaza being governed by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority.
Hamas, for its part, did not address the issue of its own disarmament and the exile of its members, and said more talks were needed to work out the details.
Still, Palestinians felt hope for the first time in months, after ceasefire talks had stalled and Israel attempted to strike Hamas leaders even in Qatar, a key mediator.
"It's enough... the situation is very bad," said Abu Hussein Labad, a displaced man from Jabalia refugee camp.
"I'm injured, and to this day I can't move. The situation is unbearable. God willing, the war will end and we can return to our destroyed homes."
In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinians said Hamas played its hand well under an American ultimatum to respond by Sunday.
"Hamas' stance yesterday was very good," Iyad Safi told AFP.
"God willing, it will be for the good of the people -- the most important thing is the people's interest, that the war stops and things come to an end."
Adnan Naeem, said that "Hamas addressed the urgent issues", in its response.
"The other issues can be discussed later", he said.
(AFP)
‘He didn’t listen to you’: Trump torched for being openly defied in ceasefire demand
Alexander Willis
October 4, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Marine One to depart for Quantico, Virginia, from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
President Donald Trump is being torched online after being openly defied by Israeli leadership in his call Friday for the Middle Eastern nation to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza,” with 20 Gazans killed in Israeli strikes over the past 12 hours according to CNN.
“Mr. Trump, it has been one hour since you order Netanyahu to stop bombing Gaza and he didn’t listen to you,” wrote X user “The Palestinian,” who describes themselves as a Palestinian living in Gaza and has amassed nearly 120,000 followers. “Do [you’re] job with him!”
In a Friday social media post, Trump demanded that Israel halt its siege on Gaza based on Hamas’ response to the White House’s proposed peace plan, unveiled on Tuesday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the Oval Office. While the plan saw some last-minute changes at the behest of Netanyahu, changes that reportedly infuriated Arab officials, it was received favorably by Hamas, with some caveats.
However, Israeli strikes on Gaza persisted well into Saturday morning according to major news outlets, strikes that critics online argued were in open defiance of Trump’s demands.
“The most intense bombardment of the last two [weeks] is happening right now in direct defiance of what you just posted,” wrote X user “Assaf,” whose profile says they’re Palestinian and has amassed nearly 19,000 followers.
Others pointed to the leverage Trump has in being able to pressure Israel to halt its bombardment, such as X user “Empire of Lies,” who frequently shares content critical of the Trump administration and has amassed nearly 48,000 followers.
“Trump could immediately end the bombing of Gaza with one phone call to Netanyahu,” they wrote. “Trump has enormous leverage. The only question is? Will he use it.”
Netanyahu was reportedly "surprised" by Trump’s demand for Israel to halt its strikes, according to an Israeli official who spoke with Axios reporter Barak Ravid on Friday, and viewed Hamas’ response as an outright rejection of Trump’s proposed peace plan.
Trump issued an apocalyptic threat to Hamas earlier on Friday before his call for Israel to halt its strikes in which he set a Sunday deadline for the organization to either accept the peace plan, or face “hell like no one has ever seen.
October 4, 2025
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Marine One to depart for Quantico, Virginia, from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
President Donald Trump is being torched online after being openly defied by Israeli leadership in his call Friday for the Middle Eastern nation to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza,” with 20 Gazans killed in Israeli strikes over the past 12 hours according to CNN.
“Mr. Trump, it has been one hour since you order Netanyahu to stop bombing Gaza and he didn’t listen to you,” wrote X user “The Palestinian,” who describes themselves as a Palestinian living in Gaza and has amassed nearly 120,000 followers. “Do [you’re] job with him!”
In a Friday social media post, Trump demanded that Israel halt its siege on Gaza based on Hamas’ response to the White House’s proposed peace plan, unveiled on Tuesday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the Oval Office. While the plan saw some last-minute changes at the behest of Netanyahu, changes that reportedly infuriated Arab officials, it was received favorably by Hamas, with some caveats.
However, Israeli strikes on Gaza persisted well into Saturday morning according to major news outlets, strikes that critics online argued were in open defiance of Trump’s demands.
“The most intense bombardment of the last two [weeks] is happening right now in direct defiance of what you just posted,” wrote X user “Assaf,” whose profile says they’re Palestinian and has amassed nearly 19,000 followers.
Others pointed to the leverage Trump has in being able to pressure Israel to halt its bombardment, such as X user “Empire of Lies,” who frequently shares content critical of the Trump administration and has amassed nearly 48,000 followers.
“Trump could immediately end the bombing of Gaza with one phone call to Netanyahu,” they wrote. “Trump has enormous leverage. The only question is? Will he use it.”
Netanyahu was reportedly "surprised" by Trump’s demand for Israel to halt its strikes, according to an Israeli official who spoke with Axios reporter Barak Ravid on Friday, and viewed Hamas’ response as an outright rejection of Trump’s proposed peace plan.
Trump issued an apocalyptic threat to Hamas earlier on Friday before his call for Israel to halt its strikes in which he set a Sunday deadline for the organization to either accept the peace plan, or face “hell like no one has ever seen.
Trump urges Israel to stop bombing Gaza after Hamas partially accepts his peace plan
Copyright Alex Brandon/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved
By Jeremiah Fisayo-Bambi with AP
Published on
“I believe they are ready for a lasting peace.” the US president wrote on social media after Hamas announced it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians.
US President Donald Trump, on Friday, in a social media post, said Israel must stop bombing the Gaza Strip after Hamas said it had accepted some elements of his peace plan to end the nearly two-year war.
Hamas, in its partial agreement to the plan, had said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan require further consultations among Palestinians.
Taking to his social media page, Trump welcomed the Hamas statement, saying: “I believe they are ready for a lasting peace.”
“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,” the US president wrote.
He later released a celebratory video where he thanked Arab and Muslim countries, specifically Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey, along with “so many others.”
“This is a big day,” the US president said. “We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his response, said Israel was prepared for the implementation of the “first stage” of Trump’s plan, apparently referring to the release of hostages.
But his office later said in a statement that Israel was committed to ending the war based on principles it had set out before, without addressing potential gaps with Hamas.
On Saturday, the Israeli army stated in a statement that it was ready for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan for the release of the hostages. It added, however, that "all IDF capabilities will be allocated to the Southern Command to ensure the protection of the troops".
Europe widely welcomes the latest ceasefire effort
Friday's announcements were well received by regional actors in the Middle East and across Europe as Trump appeared keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and return dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday.
Key mediators Egypt and Qatar welcomed the latest developments, and Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, said they would “continue discussions on the plan.”
The EU, in its reaction, described the latest developments as encouraging. saying the moment must be seized. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen added that Europe was ready to support efforts to end civilian suffering and promote the only viable solution for peace, the two-state solution.
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media that “the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach!
Macron urged action without delay to make decisive progress towards peace.
The main organisation representing the families of Israeli hostages said Trump’s demand to halt the fighting “is essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm to the hostages.” It called on Netanyahu “to immediately begin efficient and swift negotiations to bring all our hostages home.”
Despite the positive signals, key issues and demands in the peace plan remain unclear and are yet to be decided.
Hamas, in its response, said aspects of the proposal touching on the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights should be decided based on a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and based on international law.
Its statement also made no mention of Hamas disarming, a key Israeli demand included in Trump’s proposal.
Under the plan, which Trump unveiled earlier this week alongside Netanyahu, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — around 20 of them believed to be alive — within three days. It would also give up power and disarm.
In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction. Plans to relocate much of Gaza’s population to other countries would be shelved.
Gaza, with some 2 million Palestinians, would be placed under international governance, with Trump himself and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair overseeing it. The plan provides no path for eventual reunification with the Israeli-occupied West Bank in a future Palestinian state.
Trump orders Israel to stop bombing Gaza
after Hamas accepts peace plan
Hamas responded to US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza on Friday, after the president issued the group an ultimatum to answer by Sunday evening. Hamas announced that it was willing to release hostages, but said some elements of the plan would need to be further discussed.
Issued on: 03/10/2025 - 23:30
By: FRANCE 24
File photo of displaced Palestinians in Rafah, southern Gaza
taken January 20, 2025. © Jehad Alshrafi, AP
US President Donald Trump on Friday ordered Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip after Hamas said it had accepted some elements of his plan to end the nearly two-year war and return all the remaining hostages taken in the October 7, 2023 attack.
Hamas said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan required further consultations. Senior Hamas officials suggested there were still major disagreements that would need more negotiations.
There was no immediate response from Israel, which was largely shut down for the Jewish Sabbath. Hamas’ response fell short of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand that the group surrender and disarm. Israel had earlier accepted Trump’s plan in its entirety.
Trump welcomed Hamas’ statement, saying: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.”
“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,” he wrote on social media.
Hamas said aspects of the proposal concerning the future of Gaza and Palestinian rights should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and grounded in international law.
The statement made no mention of Hamas disarming, a key Israeli demand included in Trump’s proposal.
Trump appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and secure the release of dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday.
Key mediators Egypt and Qatar welcomed the latest developments. Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry, said they would “continue discussions on the plan”.
A spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he “urges all parties to seize the opportunity to bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to an end”. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media that “the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach!”
The main organisation representing the families of Israeli hostages said Trump’s demand to halt the fighting “is essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm to the hostages”. It called on Netanyahu “to immediately begin efficient and swift negotiations to bring all our hostages home”.
Earlier, Trump had warned that Hamas must agree to the deal by Sunday evening or face an even greater military onslaught.
“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” Trump wrote on social media. “THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”
Under the plan, unveiled earlier this week alongside Netanyahu, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — around 20 of them believed to be alive — within three days. It would also give up power and disarm.
In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow a surge of humanitarian aid followed by reconstruction. Plans to relocate much of Gaza’s population to other countries would be shelved.
The territory’s 2 million Palestinians would be placed under international governance, overseen by Trump himself and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The plan offers no path to eventual reunification with the Israeli-occupied West Bank in a future Palestinian state.
Palestinians yearn for an end to the war, but many view this and previous US proposals as strongly favouring Israel.
Trump’s plan “cannot be implemented without negotiations,” Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official based outside Gaza, told Al Jazeera on Friday.
The Hamas statement said it was willing to return all remaining hostages under the plan’s “formula”, apparently referring to an exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. It also reiterated its longstanding openness to handing power over to a politically independent Palestinian body.
But Abu Marzouk said it might be difficult for Hamas to release all the hostages within 72 hours, as it could take days or weeks to locate the remains of some captives.
He added that Hamas was willing to hand over its weapons to a future Palestinian authority running Gaza, but there was no mention of that in the official statement.
Another Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, told Al Araby television that Hamas would reject foreign administration of the Gaza Strip, calling the entry of foreign forces “unacceptable”.
Israel has increased pressure on Hamas since ending a ceasefire in March, sealing off the territory from food, medicine and other goods for two and a half months and seizing, flattening and largely depopulating large areas.
Experts determined that Gaza City had slipped into famine shortly before Israel launched a major offensive aimed at occupying it. An estimated 400,000 people have fled the city in recent weeks, but hundreds of thousands more remain.
Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, said she saw several displaced families sheltering in the car park of Shifa Hospital during a visit on Thursday.
“They are not able to move south because they just cannot afford it,” Cherevko told the Associated Press. “One of the families had three children and the woman was pregnant with her fourth. And there were many other vulnerable cases there, including elderly people and people with disabilities.”
Most of Hamas’ senior leaders in Gaza and thousands of its fighters have already been killed, but the group still retains influence in areas outside Israeli military control and launches sporadic attacks.
Hamas has long insisted it will release the remaining hostages — its sole bargaining chip and potential human shields — only in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu has rejected those terms, saying Hamas must surrender and disarm.
On October 7, 2023, thousands of Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel, attacking army bases, farming communities and an outdoor music festival, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 others, most of whom have since been released in ceasefires or other deals.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not specify how many were civilians and how many combatants. It says women and children make up about half the dead.
The ministry is part of the Hamas-run administration, but the UN and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimates of wartime casualties.
The offensive has displaced about 90% of Gaza’s population, often repeatedly, and rendered much of the territory uninhabitable.
Both the Biden and Trump administrations have tried to end the fighting and secure the hostages’ release while continuing to provide extensive military and diplomatic support to Israel.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
US President Donald Trump on Friday ordered Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip after Hamas said it had accepted some elements of his plan to end the nearly two-year war and return all the remaining hostages taken in the October 7, 2023 attack.
Hamas said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan required further consultations. Senior Hamas officials suggested there were still major disagreements that would need more negotiations.
There was no immediate response from Israel, which was largely shut down for the Jewish Sabbath. Hamas’ response fell short of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand that the group surrender and disarm. Israel had earlier accepted Trump’s plan in its entirety.
Trump welcomed Hamas’ statement, saying: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.”
“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,” he wrote on social media.
Hamas said aspects of the proposal concerning the future of Gaza and Palestinian rights should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and grounded in international law.
The statement made no mention of Hamas disarming, a key Israeli demand included in Trump’s proposal.
Trump appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and secure the release of dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday.
Key mediators Egypt and Qatar welcomed the latest developments. Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry, said they would “continue discussions on the plan”.
A spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he “urges all parties to seize the opportunity to bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to an end”. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media that “the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach!”
The main organisation representing the families of Israeli hostages said Trump’s demand to halt the fighting “is essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm to the hostages”. It called on Netanyahu “to immediately begin efficient and swift negotiations to bring all our hostages home”.
Earlier, Trump had warned that Hamas must agree to the deal by Sunday evening or face an even greater military onslaught.
“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” Trump wrote on social media. “THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”
Under the plan, unveiled earlier this week alongside Netanyahu, Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages — around 20 of them believed to be alive — within three days. It would also give up power and disarm.
In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow a surge of humanitarian aid followed by reconstruction. Plans to relocate much of Gaza’s population to other countries would be shelved.
The territory’s 2 million Palestinians would be placed under international governance, overseen by Trump himself and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The plan offers no path to eventual reunification with the Israeli-occupied West Bank in a future Palestinian state.
Palestinians yearn for an end to the war, but many view this and previous US proposals as strongly favouring Israel.
Trump’s plan “cannot be implemented without negotiations,” Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official based outside Gaza, told Al Jazeera on Friday.
The Hamas statement said it was willing to return all remaining hostages under the plan’s “formula”, apparently referring to an exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. It also reiterated its longstanding openness to handing power over to a politically independent Palestinian body.
But Abu Marzouk said it might be difficult for Hamas to release all the hostages within 72 hours, as it could take days or weeks to locate the remains of some captives.
He added that Hamas was willing to hand over its weapons to a future Palestinian authority running Gaza, but there was no mention of that in the official statement.
Another Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, told Al Araby television that Hamas would reject foreign administration of the Gaza Strip, calling the entry of foreign forces “unacceptable”.
Israel has increased pressure on Hamas since ending a ceasefire in March, sealing off the territory from food, medicine and other goods for two and a half months and seizing, flattening and largely depopulating large areas.
Experts determined that Gaza City had slipped into famine shortly before Israel launched a major offensive aimed at occupying it. An estimated 400,000 people have fled the city in recent weeks, but hundreds of thousands more remain.
Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, said she saw several displaced families sheltering in the car park of Shifa Hospital during a visit on Thursday.
“They are not able to move south because they just cannot afford it,” Cherevko told the Associated Press. “One of the families had three children and the woman was pregnant with her fourth. And there were many other vulnerable cases there, including elderly people and people with disabilities.”
Most of Hamas’ senior leaders in Gaza and thousands of its fighters have already been killed, but the group still retains influence in areas outside Israeli military control and launches sporadic attacks.
Hamas has long insisted it will release the remaining hostages — its sole bargaining chip and potential human shields — only in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu has rejected those terms, saying Hamas must surrender and disarm.
On October 7, 2023, thousands of Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel, attacking army bases, farming communities and an outdoor music festival, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 others, most of whom have since been released in ceasefires or other deals.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not specify how many were civilians and how many combatants. It says women and children make up about half the dead.
The ministry is part of the Hamas-run administration, but the UN and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimates of wartime casualties.
The offensive has displaced about 90% of Gaza’s population, often repeatedly, and rendered much of the territory uninhabitable.
Both the Biden and Trump administrations have tried to end the fighting and secure the hostages’ release while continuing to provide extensive military and diplomatic support to Israel.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
Hamas agrees to release all hostages under Trump's Gaza plan, other points need negotiating
Hamas said Friday that it was willing to release all the hostages held in Gaza under US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.
Issued on: 03/10/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
Hamas said Friday that it has accepted some elements of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip, including giving up power and releasing all remaining hostages, but that others require futher consultations among Palestinians.
The statement came hours after Trump said that Hamas must agree to the deal by Sunday evening, threatening an even greater military onslaught nearly two years into the war sparked by the October 7 attack into Israel. It was unclear how the US and Israel would respond to partial acceptance.
Trump appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and return dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday. His peace plan has been accepted by Israel and welcomed internationally, but key mediators Egypt and Qatar have said some elements need further negotiation, without elaborating.
“An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) PM, Washington, DC time,” Trump wrote Friday on social media. “Every Country has signed on! 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.”
Under the plan, which Trump unveiled earlier this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas would immediately release the remaining 48 hostages – around 20 of them believed to be alive. It would also give up power and disarm.
In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction. Plans to relocate much of Gaza's population to other countries would be shelved.
The territory of some 2 million Palestinians would be placed under international governance, with Trump himself and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair overseeing it. The plan provides no path for eventual reunification with the Israeli-occupied West Bank in a future Palestinian state.
A Hamas official told The Associated Press this week that some elements of the plan are unacceptable and need to be amended, without elaborating. Palestinians long for an end to the war, but many view this and previous US proposals as strongly favoring Israel.
Israel has sought to ramp up pressure on Hamas since ending an earlier ceasefire in March. It sealed the territory off from food, medicine and other goods for 2 1/2 months and has seized, flattened and largely depopulated large areas of the territory.
Experts determined that Gaza City had slid into famine shortly before Israel launched a major offensive aimed at occupying it. An estimated 400,000 people have fled the city in recent weeks, but hundreds of thousands more have stayed behind.
Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, said she saw several displaced families staying in the parking lot of Shifa Hospital during a visit on Thursday.
“They are not able to move south because they just cannot afford it,” Cherevko told The Associated Press. “One of the families had three children and the woman was pregnant with her fourth. And there were many other vulnerable cases there, including elderly people and people with disabilities.”
Trump wrote that most of Hamas' fighters are "surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED, just waiting for me to give the word, ‘GO,’ for their lives to be quickly extinguished. As for the rest, we know where and who you are, and you will be hunted down, and killed.”
Most of Hamas' top leaders in Gaza and thousands of its fighters have already been killed, but it still has influence in areas not controlled by the Israeli military and launches sporadic attacks that have killed and wounded Israeli soldiers.
Hamas has held firm to its position that it will only release the remaining hostages – its sole bargaining chip and potential human shields – in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu has rejected those terms, saying Hamas must surrender and disarm.
Thousands of Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, attacking army bases, farming communities and an outdoor music festival, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 others, most of them since released in ceasefires or other deals.
Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were civilians or combatants. It says women and children make up around half the dead.
The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the UN and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.
The offensive has displaced around 90% of Gaza's population, often multiple times, and left much of the territory uninhabitable.
Both the Biden and Trump administrations have tried to end the fighting and bring back the hostages while providing extensive military and diplomatic support to Israel.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
Hamas said Friday that it was willing to release all the hostages held in Gaza under US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.
Issued on: 03/10/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
Hamas said Friday that it has accepted some elements of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip, including giving up power and releasing all remaining hostages, but that others require futher consultations among Palestinians.
The statement came hours after Trump said that Hamas must agree to the deal by Sunday evening, threatening an even greater military onslaught nearly two years into the war sparked by the October 7 attack into Israel. It was unclear how the US and Israel would respond to partial acceptance.
Trump appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and return dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday. His peace plan has been accepted by Israel and welcomed internationally, but key mediators Egypt and Qatar have said some elements need further negotiation, without elaborating.
“An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) PM, Washington, DC time,” Trump wrote Friday on social media. “Every Country has signed on! 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.”
Under the plan, which Trump unveiled earlier this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas would immediately release the remaining 48 hostages – around 20 of them believed to be alive. It would also give up power and disarm.
In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction. Plans to relocate much of Gaza's population to other countries would be shelved.
The territory of some 2 million Palestinians would be placed under international governance, with Trump himself and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair overseeing it. The plan provides no path for eventual reunification with the Israeli-occupied West Bank in a future Palestinian state.
A Hamas official told The Associated Press this week that some elements of the plan are unacceptable and need to be amended, without elaborating. Palestinians long for an end to the war, but many view this and previous US proposals as strongly favoring Israel.
Israel has sought to ramp up pressure on Hamas since ending an earlier ceasefire in March. It sealed the territory off from food, medicine and other goods for 2 1/2 months and has seized, flattened and largely depopulated large areas of the territory.
Experts determined that Gaza City had slid into famine shortly before Israel launched a major offensive aimed at occupying it. An estimated 400,000 people have fled the city in recent weeks, but hundreds of thousands more have stayed behind.
Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, said she saw several displaced families staying in the parking lot of Shifa Hospital during a visit on Thursday.
“They are not able to move south because they just cannot afford it,” Cherevko told The Associated Press. “One of the families had three children and the woman was pregnant with her fourth. And there were many other vulnerable cases there, including elderly people and people with disabilities.”
Trump wrote that most of Hamas' fighters are "surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED, just waiting for me to give the word, ‘GO,’ for their lives to be quickly extinguished. As for the rest, we know where and who you are, and you will be hunted down, and killed.”
Most of Hamas' top leaders in Gaza and thousands of its fighters have already been killed, but it still has influence in areas not controlled by the Israeli military and launches sporadic attacks that have killed and wounded Israeli soldiers.
Hamas has held firm to its position that it will only release the remaining hostages – its sole bargaining chip and potential human shields – in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu has rejected those terms, saying Hamas must surrender and disarm.
Thousands of Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, attacking army bases, farming communities and an outdoor music festival, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 others, most of them since released in ceasefires or other deals.
Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were civilians or combatants. It says women and children make up around half the dead.
The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the UN and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.
The offensive has displaced around 90% of Gaza's population, often multiple times, and left much of the territory uninhabitable.
Both the Biden and Trump administrations have tried to end the fighting and bring back the hostages while providing extensive military and diplomatic support to Israel.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
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