In a dramatic and unexpected turn of events, former President Donald Trump has issued a direct order to Israel to “immediately” stop its bombing campaign in Gaza. This unprecedented move comes hours after the Hamas militant group delivered a qualified but significant acceptance of a substantial portion of Trump’s proposed ultimatum to end the nearly two-year-long war.
The development, unfolding on Friday, marks the closest the two sides have come to a potential resolution since the conflict began, though significant hurdles and a history of shattered agreements loom over the nascent diplomatic breakthrough.
Hamas’s Conditional ‘Yes’
In a formal statement released Friday evening, Hamas announced its acceptance of two core pillars of the plan Trump unveiled earlier this week:
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Hostage-Prisoner Exchange: The group agreed to release all remaining hostages held in Gaza—both living and the remains of those deceased—in return for a large-scale release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
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Governing Power: In a major concession, Hamas expressed its readiness to surrender governing authority in the Gaza Strip to an interim administration of “independent technocrats” chosen by Palestinian national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic nations.
However, the militant group stopped short of a full endorsement. It explicitly stated that “other issues” in Trump’s proposal would require further negotiation “within a unified Palestinian national framework.” While unspecified, these points almost certainly include the critical demands for Hamas to lay down its arms and the terms for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave.
A senior Hamas official, speaking to Al Jazeera, immediately underscored this gap, declaring the group would not disarm before the Israeli occupation ends.
Trump’s Ultimatum and the Israeli Response
Seizing upon Hamas’s statement, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare a path forward. “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” he wrote. In a post that sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, he then commanded, “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that.”
He added in a separate video message that it was a “very special day” and assured that “Everybody will be treated fairly.”
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a carefully worded response, cited by local media. It stated that Israel was preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the first stage of the plan concerning the hostage release. It also pledged to “continue to work in full cooperation with the president and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles laid out by Israel, which correspond with Trump’s vision.”
Notably, the Israeli statement made no mention of Trump’s demand to halt the bombing, signaling a potential point of friction.
A Race Against Time and Violence
The fragility of the moment was immediately apparent on the ground. According to residents and witnesses, Israeli military activity intensified in parts of Gaza in the hours following the announcements. Tanks bombarded Talateeni Street in Gaza City, and warplanes intensified strikes on the Remal neighborhood and the city of Khan Younis. The actions suggested a potential final push by the Israeli military before a possible ceasefire could take hold.
This stands in stark contrast to the scenes in other parts of Gaza. In the coastal area of Al-Mawasi, an AFP journalist reported hearing celebratory cries of “Allahu Akbar!” (God is the greatest) rising from tents housing displaced Palestinians as news of Hamas’s response filtered through.
“The moment I read the news … my body trembled and shivered. A feeling came over me, like, ‘Oh Allah, at last relief has come to us’,” said Samah Al-Hu, a displaced Palestinian.
The Stakes of the Deal and International Reaction
Trump’s proposed deal, largely seen as unfavorable to Hamas, would, if implemented in full, likely spell the end of the group as a governing and armed faction in Gaza. In exchange for the hostage release and a ceasefire, the plan demands the complete disarmament of Hamas, a gradual Israeli withdrawal, and the establishment of a transitional authority to rebuild the shattered territory.
The catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where large areas face famine and most infrastructure is demolished, has placed immense pressure on Hamas to seek an agreement. For Israel, the safe return of the remaining hostages remains a powerful national priority.
The international community reacted with swift and unified optimism. Mediators Qatar and Egypt announced they were already working with the U.S. to coordinate the next steps. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties “to seize the opportunity,” while leaders from the UK, France, and Germany issued statements welcoming the development as a “significant step forwards” and the “best chance for peace.”
The coming days will test whether this fragile consensus can survive the complex on-the-ground realities and the deep-seated mistrust between the warring parties. The world now watches to see if Israel will heed Trump’s order and if Hamas is truly prepared to relinquish the power it has held in Gaza since 2007.
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