In a significant breakthrough that could end the nearly year-long conflict in Gaza, Hamas has officially agreed to a peace proposal outlined by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump, announcing its readiness to release all Israeli hostages and hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a technocratic Palestinian body.
The announcement was made in an official statement from the Islamic Resistance Movement on October 3, 2025. The group cited a “keenness to end the aggression and genocide” and stated its decision came after broad internal, national, and international consultations.
Key Points of Hamas’s Agreement:
· Release of Hostages: Hamas has agreed to release “all occupation prisoners—both living and remains” according to the exchange formula in President Trump’s proposal. The group expressed readiness to immediately enter into negotiations on the details through mediators.
· Gaza Administration: The movement reaffirmed its approval to hand over the administration of Gaza to an independent Palestinian body of technocrats, to be formed based on Palestinian national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic support.
· Broader Issues: Hamas stated that other issues concerning Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights would be tied to a collective national position and discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian framework.
In response, President Donald Trump shared a powerful message on social media, stating, “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.” He called for Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” and emphasized that the discussions were about achieving “long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
International Reactions and Ongoing Violence
The development has been met with cautious optimism by the international community.
A post from a Pakistani perspective expressed gratitude to President Trump and the leaderships of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkiye, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia for their efforts, noting that the statement “creates a window for a ceasefire… we must not allow to close again.”
Meanwhile, India released a statement welcoming “President Trump’s leadership as peace efforts in Gaza make decisive progress,” and pledged to “continue to strongly support all efforts towards a durable and just peace.”
Despite the diplomatic momentum, reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes continued into October 4, resulting in dozens of Palestinian casualties, underscoring the fragile and urgent nature of the situation on the ground. The critical next step, as highlighted by President Trump, is an immediate cessation of hostilities to allow for the safe extraction of hostages and the implementation of the agreed-upon terms.
