Hamas says ready to release all Israeli captives under Trump plan

Hamas has announced its readiness to release all Israeli captives, both alive and dead, in exchange for an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave. 

The Palestinian group said the move would take place within the framework of US President Donald Trump’s proposed plan for Gaza, Caliber.Az reports via Al Jazeera.

In a statement shared on Telegram, Hamas said it was prepared to “immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement.” 

The group also declared its willingness to hand over the administration of Gaza to an independent body of Palestinian technocrats, supported by a broad Palestinian consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic states.

Reacting to the announcement, Trump welcomed Hamas’s statement and urged Israel to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza to allow negotiations to proceed. 

“Based on the statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!”

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed Hamas’s response to the Trump plan. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said Guterres reiterated his calls for a permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian access, while thanking Qatar and Egypt for their mediation efforts.

The statement from Hamas came shortly after Trump gave the group a deadline to respond to his 20-point Gaza plan.

On October 3, he warned that if Hamas did not agree by October 5, Sunday at 6 p.m. Washington time (2:00 a.m. on October 6 GMT+4), “all hell, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.”

By Sabina Mammadli