Hamas announced its agreement to release all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace proposal.
Trump praised the move and instructed Israel to immediately halt bombing to enable safe hostage extraction, leading Israel to reduce military operations to defensive actions amid U.S. pressure.
Global leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron, welcomed the development as a step toward ending the nearly two-year conflict that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer says the group acceptance “is a significant step forwards.”
Narendra Modi on X wrote: “We welcome President Trump’s leadership as peace efforts in Gaza make decisive progress. Indications of the release of hostages mark a significant step forward. India will continue to strongly support all efforts towards a durable and just peace.”
French President Emmanuel Macron: “The release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach! Hamas’ commitment must be followed up without delay. We now have the opportunity to make decisive progress towards peace. France will play its full part in line with its efforts at the United Nations, alongside the United States, Israelis and Palestinians, and all of its international partners. I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump and his team for their commitment to peace”
Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif: “Alhamdolillah, we are closer to a ceasefire than we have been since this genocide was launched on the Palestinian people. Pakistan has always stood by the Palestinian people and shall always do so.
“Gratitude is due to President Trump, as well as to leaderships of Qatar, Saudia Arabia, UAE, Turkiye, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia who, met with President Trump on the sidelines of #UNGA80 for the resolution of the Palestinian issue.
“The statement issued by Hamas creates a window for a ceasefire and ensuring peace that we must not allow to close again.
“InshaAllah, Pakistan will continue to work with all its partners and brotherly nations to everlasting peace in Palestine”
