AP file photo
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released an overnight statement noting that Israel is ready to begin the first stage of Trump’s plan to secure the immediate release of all hostages.“Israel is prepared for the immediate implementation of the first stage of Trump’s plan for the immediate release of all the hostages,” the statement from the prime minister’s office read. “We will continue to work in full cooperation with the president and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles laid out by Israel, which correspond with Trump’s vision for ending the war,” the statement read. However, the statement makes no mention of Trump’s request for Israel to halt strikes in Gaza, which the US president said is essential for the safe and swift release of hostages, as cited by the Times of Israel.In a post on Truth Social earlier, Trump urged Israel to immediately halt its bombing of Gaza to ensure the safe and swift release of hostages. He noted that discussions on the deal’s details were already underway and emphasized that the issue goes beyond Gaza, aiming for broader peace in the Middle East.“Hamas’s statement shows they are ready for lasting peace. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly! This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long-sought peace in the Middle East,” he wrote. Hamas announced Friday night that it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or deceased, under the terms of Trump’s Gaza proposal, and expressed willingness to enter mediated talks to finalize the details, Reuters reported.The group stated it would “release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal,” provided the proper conditions for the exchanges are met.Hamas also reaffirmed its longstanding willingness to transfer power to a politically independent Palestinian authority. It noted that elements of the proposal affecting Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights must be determined through a “unanimous Palestinian stance” in coordination with other factions and guided by international law, as cited by AP.The announcement came after Trump issued an ultimatum, warning that Hamas would face “unprecedented consequences” if it did not agree to a peace deal with Israel by Sunday at 6.00 pm Washington DC time.
