Is Hamas Really Ready To Release All Hostages?
Hamas has announced its willingness to release all remaining Israeli hostages, but says it wants further negotiations on key aspects of the US-backed peace plan. In a statement released on Friday, Hamas said it agrees “to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal,” but only if the right conditions for the exchange are met.
The announcement came just hours after US President Donald Trump issued a stern ultimatum to the group, demanding that it accept the peace deal by Sunday or face what he described as “all hell”.
While Hamas appears to support the prisoner exchange component of the proposal, which includes the release of both living Israeli hostages and the remains of those believed to be dead, the group is pushing for continued talks on the broader political framework outlined in the 20-point US peace plan.
The statement notably does not explicitly endorse the full US plan, but it does confirm that Hamas is open to handing over control of Gaza to a Palestinian-led technocratic government, provided there is national consensus and support from Arab and Islamic countries.
However, Hamas made no mention of one of the most critical requirements of the US proposal — that the group agree to disarm completely and play no future role in Gaza’s governance. This omission has raised doubts about the group’s full commitment to the deal’s long-term vision.
Following Hamas’s response, Trump posted on Truth Social: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. We are already in discussions on the details to be worked out.” He also called on Israel to immediately stop its bombing campaign in Gaza to ensure the safe and swift release of the hostages.
The plan proposes a 72-hour window after an agreement for Hamas to release 20 living hostages, along with the remains of deceased hostages, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees. There are believed to be 48 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, only about 20 of whom are thought to be alive.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned Friday that rejecting the deal would carry “very grave” consequences for Hamas. “The entire world should hear the president of the United States loud and clear… If Hamas doesn’t accept this plan, the consequences will be very tragic,” she said.
Trump, who gave Hamas a three-to four-day deadline earlier in the week, reiterated that this is a “last chance” agreement. “There will be peace in the Middle East one way or the other,” he posted.
He has also said that if Hamas turns down the offer, the US will fully support Israel in “finishing the job” of eliminating the Hamas threat.
The Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the West Bank, welcomed the US effort, calling Trump’s peace push “sincere and determined.”
Several European and Middle Eastern leaders have also expressed support for the initiative, which aims to end nearly a year of conflict and pave the way for a potential Palestinian state — although that aspect remains highly contentious.
Despite appearing alongside Trump to unveil the plan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated he would strongly oppose the creation of a Palestinian state, saying, “It’s not written in the agreement. We said we would strongly oppose a Palestinian state.”
Netanyahu also warned that if Hamas fails to comply, Israel will “finish the job” with full backing from the US.
Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.
Since then, more than 66,288 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. In just the 24 hours before Friday midday, 63 people were reportedly killed in Israeli strikes.
Israeli forces are currently tightening their siege on Gaza City, with ongoing operations pushing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate toward designated “safe zones” in the south. However, many have remained trapped.
(With inputs from BBC)
