In a sudden twist amid the grinding conflict, Hamas has announced its agreement to release all remaining Israeli hostages as part of President Donald Trump's sweeping Gaza peace proposal. The militant group, long entrenched in the Gaza Strip, stated Friday that it would free both living captives and the remains of those killed, signaling a potential breakthrough after nearly two years of war. This comes just hours after Trump issued a stark directive to Israel: halt the bombings immediately to allow safe extraction of the hostages.
Trump's plan, outlined in a 20-point framework, calls for an immediate end to hostilities in exchange for the hostage releases, alongside the freeing of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Hamas leaders emphasized their readiness to negotiate further details, appreciating the involvement of Arab and Muslim nations in crafting the deal, though they pushed back on certain terms like full disarmament. Indeed, the response from Gaza wasn't unqualified—Hamas described some elements, such as a tight 72-hour deadline, as unrealistic, yet they affirmed commitment to the initial phases.
From Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office quickly responded, saying Israel is gearing up for the first stage of implementation, which includes a gradual withdrawal of forces from parts of Gaza. However, reports of continued Israeli airstrikes trickled in even after Trump's call, with dozens killed in the enclave on Saturday, underscoring the fragility of this moment. Moreover, Trump's public pressure on Netanyahu—describing it as a "chance for victory" with little room for refusal—highlights the U.S. president's outsized role in these high-stakes talks.
Behind the scenes, mediators from Qatar and Egypt are already lining up discussions to iron out sticking points, like the future governance of Gaza and the influx of humanitarian aid. Yet, as optimism flickers, the specter of past failed ceasefires looms large. One can't help but wonder if this fragile accord will finally bridge the divide or merely delay the next eruption.