Hamas indicates willingness to release all Israeli hostages amid US peace push

Hamas has reportedly agreed in principle to release all remaining Israeli hostages as part of a new US-led peace proposal, signalling a potential breakthrough in the Gaza conflict amid ongoing diplomatic efforts and regional negotiations.

Hamas has reportedly agreed in principle to release all remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza, signaling a potential breakthrough in efforts to end the ongoing conflict. The militant group’s announcement came after what it describe...

d as “extensive consultations,” and was closely tied to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recently introduced peace proposal, which Israel has formally accepted.

According to Hamas’s statement, they are ready to immediately enter mediated negotiations to finalise the arrangement details. Reports suggest that about 48 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive. This development follows escalating pressure from the United States, where President Trump set a firm deadline for Hamas to accept his plan, warning of severe consequences should they refuse.

Trump’s 20-point peace proposal, unveiled in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outlines a comprehensive framework aimed at ending the war and rebuilding Gaza. The plan envisages a cessation of hostilities and an Israeli withdrawal to a mutually agreed line, the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian governance body supervised internationally, and a radical redevelopment and economic revitalisation of Gaza. Key to the plan is the guarantee that Gaza will be transformed into a deradicalized, terror-free zone, with Hamas and other factions relinquishing control over governance and weapons.

Crucially, the plan stipulates that within 72 hours of Israel’s public acceptance, all hostages, both living and deceased, will be returned. Following this, Israel is to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including women and children, with prisoner releases proportionate to the number of Israeli remains returned. Amnesty and safe passage would be accorded to Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and disarmament.

The proposal also includes the deployment of a U.S.-led International Stabilization Force to secure Gaza, cooperation with regional partners such as Jordan and Egypt, and measures to facilitate humanitarian aid, infrastructure rehabilitation, and economic investment. An interfaith dialogue process promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence is envisioned alongside a potential pathway to Palestinian self-determination contingent on reforms.

In recent days, significant diplomatic moves have unfolded. Indirect negotiations are set to begin in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, focusing on hostage exchanges, disarmament, and governance transitions. Amid these developments, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, expressing cautious optimism after Hamas’s acceptance of the U.S. plan but remaining wary of potential disruptions from factions opposed to a settlement.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that while Hamas has generally agreed to the framework, the war is not over and the release process entails complex logistics and uncertainties. President Trump announced Israel’s agreement to an initial withdrawal line, with the ceasefire and prisoner exchange contingent on Hamas’s confirmation.

Tensions remain high behind the scenes. Reports indicate that Trump expressed frustration with Prime Minister Netanyahu over perceived pessimism regarding the peace process, underscoring the delicate nature of negotiations.

As diplomatic efforts intensify, the prospect of a peaceful resolution and humanitarian relief in Gaza appears closer than ever, though the pathway remains fraught. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the proposed ceasefire and comprehensive peace framework can withstand internal opposition and translate into lasting stability for the region.

Source: Noah Wire Services