A potential diplomatic breakthrough has emerged in the ongoing conflict, with both Israel and Hamas expressing willingness to engage with President Trump’s proposed cease-fire plan for Gaza. However, despite this initial readiness, substantial disagreements remain and will require intricate negotiations to ultimately bring the devastating war in Gaza to a close.
On Saturday morning, the Israeli government announced its preparations for the “immediate implementation” of the initial phases of Mr. Trump’s peace initiative. This followed Hamas’s conditional acceptance of the proposal just hours prior, where the group committed to releasing all remaining hostages.
President Trump conveyed a strong sense of optimism regarding an impending deal, hailing it as a “big day.” He urged Israel to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza and acknowledged that negotiators still faced the crucial task of finalizing the agreement’s precise details.
Crucially, neither side provided specifics on the long-standing obstacles to an accord. Hamas, in particular, remained silent on the key Israeli-backed condition within Trump’s plan: the group’s complete disarmament.
Furthermore, questions persist regarding Israel’s willingness to entertain significant modifications to Mr. Trump’s proposal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had publicly endorsed the plan during his recent visit to the White House.
Four regional officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the discussions, confirmed that Israeli negotiators were preparing to depart for indirect talks with Hamas. However, the exact timing of their departure remained undisclosed.
The rapid succession of these developments left both Israelis and Palestinians grappling with a mix of disbelief, cautious optimism, and profound confusion. Many expressed fervent hopes that these events could finally pave the way for an end to the nearly two-year-long conflict.
Earlier in the week, Mr. Trump unveiled a comprehensive 20-point plan aimed at securing the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and bringing Israel’s intense military campaign to a halt. It is estimated that at least 20 living hostages, along with the remains of approximately 25 others, are still being held in the Gaza Strip.
The proposed plan outlines that Hamas would release all remaining hostages within 72 hours and surrender its weaponry, effectively ending its governance in Gaza. Concurrently, Israeli forces would systematically withdraw from the territory, allowing an internationally overseen Palestinian administration to take charge of public services.
Hamas formally responded to Mr. Trump’s proposal late Friday, stating its agreement to release all remaining hostages in line with the plan’s terms. This exchange would reportedly include the liberation of 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israel, an additional 1,700 individuals detained since the conflict began, and the exchange of 15 Gazan bodies for each deceased captive held by Hamas.
However, Hamas also indicated a need for specific on-the-ground conditions to facilitate the exchange, implying that additional negotiations would be necessary. The group notably remained ambiguous regarding its willingness to disarm or to completely cede its governing authority in Gaza, both central tenets of Mr. Trump’s vision.
On social media, Mr. Trump lauded Hamas’s response as proof that the group’s leadership is “ready for a lasting PEACE.” He called for Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza” to ensure the hostage release could proceed smoothly.
Hours afterward, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office released its own statement, confirming Israel’s preparations for the “immediate release of all the hostages” and its continued collaboration with Mr. Trump “to bring the war to an end in accordance with the principles set forth by Israel.” Separately, the military emphasized its commitment to a “rapid response to neutralize any threat.”
Reports from Palestinians in Gaza indicated that explosions persisted into the early morning, suggesting ongoing Israeli military operations. Many Gazans, deeply fatigued and scarred by the conflict, expressed a strong desire for Hamas to make all necessary concessions to achieve a lasting agreement with Israel.