Iran (IMNA) - The Gaza-based resistance group responded on Friday to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. Hamas agreed to “release all Israeli captives, living and deceased,” and supported handing over Gaza’s administration to a Palestinian independent technocratic body backed by national consensus and Arab-Islamic support. The group emphasized that its response was guided by national responsibility and concern for the fundamental rights and interests of the Palestinian people.
President Trump hailed Hamas’s reply as a sign of readiness for lasting peace and called on Israel to immediately cease the bombing of Gaza. He also promised in a brief video that all parties would be treated fairly in ensuing negotiations, marking the agreement to free captives as a “special day.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres endorsed the statement, urging all sides to seize this opportunity to end the ongoing tragedy. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Hamas’s acceptance of the US plan as a “significant step forward,” with the UK prepared to support further negotiations toward sustainable peace. French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed France’s full involvement in coordination with international partners, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian access.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared peace in Gaza is “within reach” following Hamas’s principle agreement to the plan, which he called the “best chance for peace.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated her “full support” for the ceasefire proposal, and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin urged all parties to embrace the opportunity for lasting peace.
Qatar welcomed Hamas’s agreement and its willingness to release captives, confirming ongoing coordination with Egypt and the US to facilitate mediation. Egypt termed Hamas’s response a “positive development” reflecting Palestinian factions’ desire to stop bloodshed, pledging cooperation with regional and global actors for a permanent ceasefire.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Hamas’s response a constructive step toward lasting peace and urged an end to the Gaza conflict. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Colombian President Gustavo Petro also voiced support for the peace plan and called for the cessation of violence.
Despite broad international endorsements, Axios reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Trump’s proposal, instructing his team to treat Hamas’s response as a rejection and to adhere to Israel’s original plan.
Trump’s plan emerges amid continued US military, intelligence, and political backing for Israel, which has resulted in over 66,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, predominantly women and children. The United States has previously vetoed several UN resolutions aiming to halt the conflict.
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