Trump Orders Ceasefire After Hamas Partially Accepts Peace Plan Amid Gaza Conflict - Ready to release hostages

Agencies with inputs from AP,  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip, October 4, 2025 : U.S. President Donald Trump issued an urgent order on Friday, instructing Israel to immediately halt its military operations in the Gaza Strip after Hamas expressed partial acceptance of his peace proposal aimed at ending the prolonged conflict and securing the release of all remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. This unexpected development comes amidst ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire that has captured international attention, with both parties showing signs of agreement, though challenges remain.

Hamas announced that it was ready to return the hostages, a critical demand of Israel, and was open to ceding control of the Gaza Strip to another Palestinian entity. However, Hamas added that further deliberations with other Palestinian factions were necessary before fully endorsing other aspects of the peace plan, particularly regarding the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian sovereignty. Senior Hamas officials also noted that there were still significant areas of disagreement, especially concerning key elements of the U.S. proposal.

In response to this development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that Israel was prepared to begin implementing what he termed the "first stage" of the peace plan, which appeared to involve the release of the hostages. However, Netanyahu’s office emphasized that Israel would continue to pursue its own war aims, including ensuring security, while refraining from directly addressing the potential gaps between Israel’s demands and Hamas’ conditions.

President Trump, in a statement following Hamas’s partial acceptance, expressed cautious optimism. "I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE," Trump wrote on social media, adding that it was imperative for Israel to stop bombing Gaza to allow for the safe retrieval of hostages. "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 details to be worked out."

Hamas clarified its position on the peace plan, stating that it would consider releasing the hostages as per the "formula" outlined in Trump’s proposal, which likely refers to an exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The group also expressed a willingness to transfer authority over Gaza to a neutral Palestinian body, though it rejected the notion of foreign administration of Gaza. This aspect of the proposal remains contentious, as Israel demands Hamas disarm and relinquish control, a key condition for any lasting peace agreement.

International stakeholders have welcomed the latest ceasefire efforts. Key mediators, including Egypt and Qatar, have expressed their support for the peace initiative, with Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari stating that discussions will continue to refine the details of the proposal. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has also urged all parties to take this opportunity to bring the conflict to an end. French President Emmanuel Macron added his voice to the chorus, stating that "the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach."

The latest developments in the peace process have been especially welcomed by the families of Israeli hostages, with one organization representing them saying that Trump's call for an immediate halt to the fighting was essential for ensuring the safe return of the captives. "The halt to the fighting is essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm to the hostages," the group said, urging Netanyahu to begin negotiations promptly.

However, Hamas officials aired several reservations in interviews, with Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior official based outside Gaza, indicating that logistical challenges could delay the full implementation of the hostages' release. "It may take days or weeks to locate the remains of some of the captives," Abu Marzouk said in an interview with Al Jazeera. Despite agreeing in principle to the hostages’ return, Hamas officials maintained that the peace plan could not be implemented without further negotiations.

Trump’s peace proposal, which was unveiled earlier this week, stipulates that Hamas would release the remaining 48 hostages—around 20 of whom are believed to be alive—within three days. In exchange, Israel would cease its military offensive, withdraw from much of Gaza’s territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and allow a significant influx of humanitarian aid. Reconstruction plans for Gaza would also move forward. The proposal suggests placing Gaza under international governance, with Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair overseeing the process, a suggestion that has been met with resistance from Hamas.

For many Palestinians, the prospect of a peace deal remains fraught with skepticism, particularly because previous U.S. proposals have been viewed as heavily skewed in favor of Israel. The inclusion of foreign oversight of Gaza and the lack of a clear path toward Palestinian statehood have raised concerns about the long-term implications of Trump’s plan.

As the second anniversary of the devastating October 7 attack approaches, Hamas officials continue to assert that they will not relinquish control of Gaza without substantial concessions, including an Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. Netanyahu, however, remains firm that Hamas must disarm and surrender before any long-term peace can be achieved.

The ongoing conflict has taken a devastating toll on Gaza, with more than 66,000 Palestinians reported dead, including thousands of civilians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel’s retaliatory strikes have displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population, rendering much of the territory uninhabitable. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with displaced families enduring harsh conditions as they struggle to find safety amid the ongoing bombardment.

The Biden and Trump administrations have both worked tirelessly to bring an end to the fighting, with extensive diplomatic and military support for Israel. However, as the peace talks unfold, the challenge remains immense: Can a lasting ceasefire be achieved before more lives are lost, or will the conflict continue to escalate?

The tragic toll of the war, the ongoing uncertainty, and the urgent calls for peace highlight the high stakes involved in the negotiations. With pressure mounting from international communities, the next steps in the peace process will be critical for determining the future of both Gaza and Israel.