Hamas announced Friday it has agreed in principle to release all Israeli hostages and transfer Gaza's administration to an independent Palestinian body under a U.S.-brokered peace proposal, marking a potential turning point in the protracted conflict. The group submitted its response to mediators, signaling willingness to negotiate details for implementing the 20-point plan unveiled by former U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week.
Ceasefire Framework and Governance Overhaul
The proposal outlines a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and establishes a demilitarized zone under international oversight. Hamas committed to releasing both living and deceased hostages through a prisoner exchange framework, while disarmed members would receive amnesty or safe passage abroad. The plan excludes Hamas from future governance structures, proposing instead a technocratic administration formed through Palestinian consensus with Arab-Islamic support.
Trump's Deadline and Regional Implications
Trump set a Sunday deadline for Hamas' formal acceptance, warning of intensified military action otherwise. "This is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East," he stated on Truth Social, confirming ongoing implementation discussions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed the plan's objectives of hostage return and Hamas' military dismantling, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the development as "encouraging" progress toward ceasefire and humanitarian access.
Path Forward
Key challenges remain in operationalizing the agreement, including verification mechanisms for demilitarization and international coordination for Gaza's reconstruction. The proposal's success hinges on maintaining fragile consensus among regional stakeholders while addressing Palestinian demands for self-determination. As mediators prepare for detailed negotiations, global markets watch for potential stabilization effects in energy and regional trade corridors.
