President Donald Trump told Israel on October 3 to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza after Hamas accepted parts of a United States peace proposal, including the release of hostages. While Trump hailed the response as a sign that Hamas was «ready for a lasting peace,» questions remained over unresolved issues such as disarmament and Israeli withdrawal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the country was preparing for the «immediate implementation» of the first stage of Trump’s Gaza plan following Hamas’ response. Israeli media later reported that the military had been instructed to scale back its offensive in Gaza, though residents described fresh bombardments in Gaza City and Khan Younis shortly after the announcement.
Trump Pushes for Peace
Trump, who gave Hamas a deadline to accept his 20-point plan or face «grave consequences,» said on his Truth Social platform:
«Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought peace in the Middle East.»
The plan outlines a ceasefire, the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, staged Israeli withdrawals, the disarmament of Hamas and a transitional government led by an international body. Netanyahu’s office said Israel would continue to cooperate with Trump «to end the war in accordance with principles that align with the President’s vision.»
Pressure on Netanyahu
Families of Israeli hostages demanded immediate negotiations for their release. Netanyahu, however, faces competing pressures at home between calls to end the war and demands from his far-right coalition partners to maintain military action.
Israel launched its offensive after the October 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Gaza’s health authorities say more than 66,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed during Israel’s campaign.
Hamas Response
In its written reply, Hamas confirmed its willingness to release all Israeli hostages under Trump’s proposed exchange and expressed readiness to hand over governance of Gaza to an independent Palestinian-led body supported by Arab and Islamic states. However, it did not agree to disarm or accept a staged Israeli withdrawal. A senior Hamas official stressed the group would not lay down arms until Israel’s occupation ended.
Qatar confirmed it is working with Egypt and the U.S. to continue mediation. Trump, meanwhile, warned that «all hell» would break out if Hamas reneged on the deal.
Kursiv also reports that Israel came under heavy international criticism on October 2 after its navy intercepted nearly 40 boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and detained more than 450 foreign activists, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg.
