Washington: US President Donald Trump claimed a significant diplomatic victory on Friday after Hamas responded to his 20-point ceasefire proposal aimed at ending nearly two years of conflict in Gaza. While the militant group stopped short of fully endorsing the plan including rejecting disarmament and its exclusion from Gaza governance Trump focused on its commitment to release all remaining Israeli hostages, framing the partial acceptance as a step toward lasting peace.
Trump’s swift public reaction, posted on Truth Social shortly after Hamas’ six-paragraph statement, effectively preempted Israel’s own response, putting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a delicate position. “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” Trump wrote, demanding that Israel immediately stop bombing Gaza to allow the safe release of hostages. Netanyahu’s office later confirmed that Israel is preparing to implement the first phase of Trump’s plan, while maintaining cooperation with the US on future negotiations.
Analysts say the move marked a clear shift in the balance of diplomatic pressure, signaling that Trump was placing the onus on Israel to halt military operations even as Hamas’ agreement remained partial. Israeli sources told media that Trump’s announcement surprised Netanyahu twice, compelling a temporary pause in Israel’s bombardments of Gaza City.
Trump personally thanked Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan for their mediation efforts, though notably omitted mention of Netanyahu in his public statements. Some of Trump’s staunchest allies offered lukewarm responses; for instance, Senator Lindsey Graham criticized Hamas’ reply as a “classic ‘Yes, but’” scenario, highlighting that the group retained control over Gaza and tied hostage releases to broader negotiations.
Despite these concerns, Trump emphasized the opportunity to move forward. “We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete,” he said, signaling his intent to press ahead with negotiations while leaving room for adjustments.
The White House had been awaiting Hamas’ response for nearly five days, with communication delays and internal divisions within the militant group contributing to the wait. Trump issued a Sunday night ultimatum to accelerate Hamas’ reply, warning of escalated action if the group rejected the plan. The eventual statement provided a window for Trump to position himself as a peacemaker while pressuring Israel to conform to the plan publicly.
In preparation for the next steps, Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to travel to Egypt this weekend to finalize details of the hostage release and broader peace implementation. Kushner, returning to a Middle East advisory role, will play a central part in discussions alongside regional partners, including Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan.
Trump’s approach has strained relations with Netanyahu, reflecting months of tension since Trump’s reentry into office. The president has frequently criticized Israel’s continued military escalation, including strikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar last month, which US officials viewed as destabilizing ongoing negotiations. In meetings last week, Trump’s team worked to secure Netanyahu’s reluctant approval of the ceasefire plan, adjusting language to accommodate Israeli concerns while signaling that this was the final window for negotiation.
Trump framed the developments as historic, calling Friday a “big day” and describing the unfolding events as unprecedented. He portrayed unified international support for ending the war while pressuring Netanyahu to act swiftly. Observers note that Trump’s bold public messaging juxtaposing Hamas’ partial compliance with a demand that Israel cease hostilities represents a strategic gamble: advancing peace talks while asserting influence over both regional allies and domestic perceptions of his leadership.
As Hamas prepares to send a delegation to Cairo, and Israel readies its negotiating team, the coming days may prove decisive. With Trump taking a high-profile, hands-on role in the peace process, Gaza faces a fragile moment where diplomatic maneuvering, military decisions, and international mediation intersect leaving both Israel and Hamas with little room to maneuver.