Hamas has announced that it will release all Israeli hostages captured during its October 2023 attack, marking the first time the militant group has indicated readiness to comply with a major component of President Donald Trump’s peace plan. According to a statement reviewed by Bloomberg, the release will be contingent upon “necessary field conditions” and carried out in a way that ensures the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The announcement comes as part of a broader 20-point plan put forward by Trump, which includes additional measures such as the disarmament of Hamas operatives, international oversight, and reconstruction aid for Gaza.
Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that while the group agreed in principle to Trump’s plan, its implementation would require further negotiations, particularly concerning weapons and governance issues. The statement notably reversed previous positions: unlike past communications, Hamas placed hostage release first, with territorial withdrawal and other conditions to follow. Bloomberg reports that this change could complicate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response, given his insistence that hostage release alone could immediately end the conflict.
President Trump welcomed the statement, posting on social media that he believes Hamas is “ready for a lasting PEACE” and urging Israel to pause its military campaign in Gaza to facilitate safe and rapid release of hostages. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt described the Hamas response as an acceptance of the plan’s main points, highlighting ongoing discussions over logistical details and field conditions.
While the announcement was seen as a positive step, key questions remain over the remaining elements of Trump’s proposal, including disarmament and the establishment of a “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and other global leaders. The Financial Times and Bloomberg have noted that the plan also includes an amnesty provision for operatives who surrender weapons and commit to coexistence, alongside promises for increased international aid and reconstruction support for Gaza.
The conflict, which began with Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023, has killed over 66,000 Gazans according to the Hamas-run health ministry, displaced thousands, and created a dire humanitarian crisis. Analysts, including former US intelligence official Jonathan Panikoff, have warned that while the hostage release is a crucial first step, it does not yet constitute full acceptance of Trump’s broader peace framework, leaving Israel and Hamas in a delicate standoff.
The statement from Hamas has triggered immediate financial and diplomatic reactions. Bloomberg reports that the Israeli shekel strengthened following the announcement, reflecting market optimism over the prospect of progress toward ending the two-year conflict. At the White House, Trump and Netanyahu presented the plan jointly, emphasizing international support and the potential consequences if Hamas rejects the agreement, while cautioning that further negotiations would be necessary to secure lasting peace.
