Smoke rises throughout an Israeli navy operation in Gaza Metropolis, as seen from the central Gaza Strip September 29, 2025.
Mahmoud Issa | Reuters
President Donald Trump informed Israel on Friday to instantly cease bombing Gaza after Hamas agreed to launch hostages and another phrases in a U.S. plan to finish the conflict, however vexing points like disarmament appeared unresolved.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned that Israel was getting ready for an “instant implementation” of the primary stage of Trump’s Gaza plan for the discharge of Israeli hostages following Hamas’ response.
The Palestinian militant group on Friday issued its response to Trump’s 20-point plan after the U.S. president gave Hamas till Sunday to just accept or face grave penalties.
Trump, who has solid himself as the one particular person able to attaining peace in Gaza, has invested important political capital in efforts to finish a two-year-old conflict that has killed tens of 1000’s and left U.S. ally Israel more and more remoted on the world stage.
Trump mentioned he believed Hamas had confirmed it was “prepared for an enduring PEACE” and he put the onus on Netanyahu’s authorities.
“Israel should instantly cease the bombing of Gaza, in order that we will get the Hostages out safely and rapidly!” Trump wrote on his Fact Social platform.
“We’re already in discussions on particulars to be labored out. This isn’t about Gaza alone, that is about lengthy sought PEACE within the Center East.”
Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned Israel “will proceed to work in full cooperation with the President and his crew to finish the conflict in accordance with the rules set out by Israel, which align with President Trump’s imaginative and prescient.”
Continued bombardment
In line with residents, Israeli tanks bombarded Talateeni Road, a significant artery within the coronary heart of Gaza Metropolis, after Trump’s message to Israel to cease.
Witnesses mentioned Israeli navy planes additionally intensified bombing in Gaza Metropolis within the hour after Hamas issued its assertion, hitting a number of homes within the Remal neighborhood.
There have been additionally strikes on Khan Younis however no stories of casualties, residents mentioned.
Israel, which backs Trump’s proposal, has not but commented on the Hamas response or on Trump’s demand for an finish to bombing in Gaza.
However Israel’s parliamentary opposition chief Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu to maneuver ahead with the plan. In a submit on X he mentioned: “Israel ought to announce it’s becoming a member of the discussions led by the president to finalize the main points of the deal.”
Households of these being held by Hamas in Gaza known as on Netanyahu “to instantly order negotiations for the return of all hostages.”
Domestically, the prime minister is caught between rising strain to finish the conflict — from hostage households and a war-weary public — and calls for from hardline members of his far-right coalition who insist there should be no let-up in Israel’s marketing campaign in Gaza.
Comply with up on Hamas dedication, urges France
French President Emmanuel Macron, who spearheaded efforts for wider recognition of a Palestinian state in a bid to assist finish the battle, mentioned in a submit on X: “Hamas’ dedication should be adopted up immediately.”
Israel started its offensive in Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault on Israel by which some 1,200 folks had been killed and 251 taken as hostages again to Gaza, in accordance with Israeli tallies. Israel says 48 hostages stay, 20 of whom are alive.
Israel’s navy marketing campaign has killed greater than 66,000 folks in Gaza, most of them civilians, in accordance with Gaza well being authorities. Its assault has destroyed a lot of the strip whereas assist restrictions have triggered a famine in elements of Gaza, with circumstances dire throughout the enclave.
A U.N. Fee of Inquiry and a number of human rights consultants have concluded that Israel has dedicated genocide in Gaza. Netanyahu’s authorities says it has acted in self-defense.
Thorny points nonetheless to be ironed out
Hamas, in a replica of its response seen by Reuters, didn’t say if it could conform to disarm and demilitarize Gaza — one thing Israel and the U.S. need however Hamas has rejected earlier than.
It additionally didn’t conform to an Israeli withdrawal in phases, versus the instant, full withdrawal Hamas calls for.
A senior Hamas official informed Al Jazeera that the group wouldn’t disarm earlier than Israel’s occupation of the enclave ends, feedback that underscored the hole between the events because the conflict approaches its two-year mark.
Qatar has begun coordination with mediator Egypt and america to proceed talks on Trump’s Gaza plan, the Qatari overseas ministry spokesperson mentioned on X.
Trump’s plan specifies a right away ceasefire, an change of all hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional authorities led by a world physique.
Hamas seeks additional negotiations
In its response to Trump’s plan, Hamas mentioned it “appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and worldwide efforts, in addition to the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, calling for an finish to the conflict on the Gaza Strip, the change of prisoners, (and) the instant entry of assist,” amongst different phrases.
It mentioned it was saying its “approval of releasing all occupation prisoners — each dwelling and stays — in accordance with the change components contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the required subject circumstances for implementing the change.”
However Hamas added: “On this context, the motion affirms its readiness to instantly enter, via the mediators, into negotiations to debate the main points.”
The group mentioned it was prepared “handy over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian physique of independents (technocrats) primarily based on Palestinian nationwide consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing.”
However Hamas didn’t clarify whether or not it could conform to Trump’s proposal that it’s barred from exercising political energy in Gaza. However the group mentioned it needs to be “included and can contribute” to any Palestinian nationwide dialogue on Gaza’s future.
Hamas has beforehand supplied to launch all hostages and handy over administration of the Gaza Strip to a distinct physique.
Earlier on Friday, Trump warned that “all HELL” would get away in Gaza if Hamas did not conform to his proposal for the enclave by Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.
Hamas was not concerned within the negotiations that led to the proposal.
