US President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed Hamas’ response to his ceasefire and prisoner-exchange proposal, saying he believes the Palestinian group is “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 wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone — this is about long-sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
Earlier, the White House released footage showing Trump recording a message about Gaza, though it remains unclear when it will be published.
Hamas had issued its formal response to Trump’s proposal, agreeing to release all Israeli captives, return the bodies of the deceased, and transfer Gaza’s administration to an independent, technocratic Palestinian authority.
According to Israeli estimates, 48 Israeli captives remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive. Meanwhile, around 11,100 Palestinians are imprisoned in Israel, where they face torture, starvation, and medical neglect, with many reported to have martyred as a result, according to Palestinian and Israeli media as well as human rights groups.