United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that the war in Gaza may be close to the end, after Hamas announced a willingness to release all hostages in response to the peace plan proposed by Washington.
“I want to thank the countries that helped me realize this. Patar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and so many others. Many people have fought a lot. This is a great day. Let’s see how everything unfolds. We need to put this agreement concretely,” Trump said on a video published in Truth Social.
In the same pronouncement, Trump stressed the importance of liberating the hosts kidnapped by Hamas.
“Very important: I look forward to hostages to return home, to your parents, and that some of the hostages, unfortunately, you know the condition they are in, also return to their parents, because their parents wanted them as much as if that young man or young woman were still alive,” he said.
The president classified the moment as unpublished and thanked the support of regional allies.
“I want you to know that this is a very special day, perhaps unprecedented in many ways. It is unprecedented, but thanks to all, and thanks to these great countries that helped,” he said. He then stressed: “We received a tremendous help. They were all united to want this war to end and see peace in the Middle East. And we are very close to getting it. Thank you all, and everyone will be treated fairly.”
Earlier, Hamas released an official statement confirming that it is ready to free the hostages and negotiate the end of the conflict.
“We affirm our readiness to immediately negotiate through the mediators in order to discuss the details of this agreement,” said the Palestinian terrorist group. The note also states that the release of hostages will occur “according to the formula of exchange outlined in President Trump’s proposal.”
The 20-point plan for Peace in Gaza prepared by the White House provides for immediate ceasefire, liberation of hostages and creation of a transitional government in Gaza, supervised by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. It is also planned to transfer the Administration of the Enclave to an independent Palestinian organ, composed of technocrats, with Arab and Islamic support, with which Hamas also agreed. The terrorist group, however, has not declared whether to accept if he disarmed, a condition required by the agreement.
Moments after Hamas’s response, Trump publicly asked Israel to interrupt air strikes in Palestinian territory.
“Based on Hamas’s recently ehered statement, I believe they are ready for lasting peace. Israel must immediately interrupt the bombing to Gaza so that we can redeem hostages safely and quickly!” He wrote on the Truth Social Network.
Hamas spokesman Taher al-Nonou, told the agency France-Presse (AFP) that “President Trump’s statements about the immediate cessation of Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip are encouraging, and Hamas is ready to immediately start negotiations to reach a prisoners, end the war and ensure the removal of the army [israelense] from the Gaza Strip ”.
Trump had set a deadline until Sunday (5), at 18h in Washington (19h in Brasilia), for the terrorist group to speak out about the agreement.
