Two years of bombings, airstrikes, and relentless violence, Gaza might be relieved soon, as is expected with the recent developments. US President Donald Trump has asked Israel to stop bombing, while Hamas has shown partial acceptance of the plan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that they are preparing to implement the first stage of Trump's peace plan to end the war in Gaza. This raises some hope that there is a slight chance of an end to the conflict, with the return of the hostages. A statement from his office said that Israel would act in "full cooperation" with Trump to end the war, aligning with the plan's principles.
After Hamas announced that it had accepted some parts of the proposal, including the release of all remaining hostages taken in the October 7, 2023 attack, Trump asked Israel to stop the bombings in the Gaza Strip, which might put a full stop to the nearly two-year war.
Taking to his social media, Trump wrote, "Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it's far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on the details to be worked out."
Trump also shared Hamas's statement, and so did the White House, which is not very unusual for the US President these days. Later on, he recorded a video message at the Oval Office, calling Hamas's response "significant", thanking Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and other US allies for their mediation. Adding that everyone will be treated fairly in the negotiations.
Trump said, "This is a very special day, maybe unprecedented. I look forward to having the hostages come home to their parents."
What did Hamas say?Meanwhile, Hamas, in its statement, said that it will release all the Israeli hostages and hand over the power to other Palestinians. But, stressed that some parts of Trump's proposal need further consultation.
The BBC reported that the group said, "to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump's proposal - if the proper conditions of the exchanges are met."
It further said that the issues concerning Gaza's future and Palestinian rights should be settled with a "unanimous Palestinian stance" and on the basis of international law.
However, the statement did not mention "disarming" anywhere, which was what Israel had majorly demanded in Trump's plan.
Talking to the news agency AFP, Hamas spokesperson Taher al-Nunu said, "President Trump's statements on the immediate cessation of Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip are encouraging. Hamas is ready to immediately begin negotiations to achieve a prisoner exchange, end the war, and ensure the withdrawal of the (Israeli) army from the Gaza Strip."