Israel is readying itself to implement the first stage of US President Donald Trump’s 20 point plan to return the hostages and end the war in Gaza, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed early on Saturday morning, October 4.
“We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles set forth by Israel that are consistent with President Trump’s vision,” the PMO office said.
Trump earlier demanded Israel stop bombing Gaza “immediately” after Hamas said on Friday night it is willing to release all hostages in an effort to re-enter negotiations over Trump’s deal to end the war in Gaza.
Hamas late Friday night said in a statement it would release all hostages, living and dead, “according to the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s proposal, provided that field conditions necessary for the exchange are secured.”
Hamas officials later told international media that it would likely take longer than the 72 hours outlined in the US proposal to release them.
Hamas senior official Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that it would take longer than 72 hours to release the living hostages and the bodies of those killed – claiming that such a deadline was unrealistic under the current circumstances.
Hamas gave mediators its response to US President Donald Trump’s plan for ending the Gaza war earlier Friday evening and promised that it would approve transferring the power of the Gaza Strip over to a Palestinian governing body that would be elected “based on Palestinian national consensus and with Arab and Islamic support.”
Marzouk promised the handover of power would come with the transfer of weapons from Hamas to the future Palestinian rulers.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
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