Trump orders halt to Gaza bombing after Hamas signals partial acceptance of peace plan and readiness to release hostages

Published: October 4, 2025, 18:30 EDT

Summary

U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed Israel to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza after Hamas announced it would accept parts of his peace plan, including releasing remaining hostages taken during the October 2023 attacks. While Hamas expressed readiness for concessions, significant disagreements remain, leaving the path to a full ceasefire uncertain.

Trump Pushes for Immediate Halt to Bombing

On Friday, President Donald Trump ordered Israel to suspend airstrikes in the Gaza Strip following Hamas’ partial acceptance of his proposed peace initiative. Hamas leaders said they were prepared to release the hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel and transfer governing authority to other Palestinian factions, but stressed that broader issues still required negotiations.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government was ready to move forward with the “first stage” of Trump’s plan, apparently referring to the release of hostages. His office reiterated that Israel remained committed to its previously stated principles for ending the war, without directly addressing areas of disagreement with Hamas.

Trump praised the statement from Hamas, writing on social media: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.” He added that hostages could not be safely released while Gaza remained under bombardment: “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!”

Hamas Acceptance Comes with Conditions

Hamas said that elements of the proposal concerning the political future of Gaza and broader Palestinian rights would need to be decided collectively with other Palestinian factions. The group also emphasized that international law must guide any long-term settlement.

The official statement made no mention of disarmament—an essential Israeli demand in Trump’s peace proposal. Senior Hamas officials acknowledged on regional television that there were significant disagreements and warned that implementation would require extensive negotiations.

Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas figure, told Al Jazeera that the group could not guarantee the release of all hostages within 72 hours, citing the challenge of locating remains of captives believed to have died. Another official, Osama Hamdan, said foreign administration of Gaza was “unacceptable,” contradicting a core element of Trump’s plan that called for international oversight.

Peace Effort Draws International Support

The latest ceasefire initiative has drawn broad backing from mediators and world leaders. Egypt and Qatar, who have played central roles in previous negotiations, welcomed Hamas’ response and pledged to continue discussions.

Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, said Doha would “continue discussions on the plan.” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also urged all sides to “seize the opportunity to bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to an end.”

French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the sentiment, declaring that “the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach.”

In Israel, the main organization representing families of hostages said Trump’s call to stop the bombing was “essential to prevent serious and irreversible harm” to their loved ones. The group appealed directly to Netanyahu to engage in “efficient and swift negotiations” to secure their return.

The Details of Trump’s Plan

Unveiled earlier this week, Trump’s proposal seeks to resolve the nearly two-year conflict while marking the second anniversary of the October 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel.

The plan includes:

• Release of the remaining 48 hostages, including about 20 believed to be alive, within three days.

• Disarmament of Hamas and transfer of authority to an independent Palestinian body.

• Israeli withdrawal from much of Gaza and suspension of its military campaign.

• Release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.

• Large-scale humanitarian aid and international-led reconstruction efforts.

• Placement of Gaza under temporary international governance, overseen by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Provisions for eventual Palestinian statehood or reunification with the West Bank are absent, fueling concerns among Palestinians that the plan heavily favors Israel.

Hamas Voices Skepticism

Although Hamas welcomed the opportunity to negotiate, officials stressed the need for further talks. Abu Marzouk said the group could consider handing over weapons to a future Palestinian governing body but rejected foreign oversight. Hamdan reiterated that Gaza should remain under Palestinian, not international, administration.

Their caution reflects deep mistrust of outside proposals. Many Palestinians view U.S.-brokered initiatives as skewed toward Israeli security concerns while failing to address long-standing demands for sovereignty and rights.

Israel Pressures Hamas with Intensified Campaign

Israel has escalated its military operations in Gaza in recent months. Since ending a brief ceasefire in March, the Israeli military has cut off essential supplies, flattened neighborhoods, and displaced hundreds of thousands.

The United Nations reported that Gaza City entered famine conditions shortly before Israel’s latest offensive. Around 400,000 residents fled the city in recent weeks, though hundreds of thousands more remain trapped.

Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian office, described witnessing families sheltering in the parking lot of Shifa Hospital, including children and pregnant women unable to move south due to poverty. “There were many other vulnerable cases there, including elderly people and people with disabilities,” she told The Associated Press.

Despite heavy losses, Hamas retains some control in parts of Gaza not occupied by Israeli forces, continuing to mount sporadic attacks.

Human Cost of the Conflict

Since October 2023, Hamas’ cross-border assault killed about 1,200 people in Israel, most of them civilians, according to Israeli authorities. The group abducted 251 individuals, with most later released during ceasefires or negotiated exchanges.

Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry, which operates under Hamas, does not distinguish between civilian and militant deaths but reports that women and children account for about half of the casualties. International observers, including U.N. agencies, consider these figures to be the most reliable estimates available.

The conflict has displaced approximately 90% of Gaza’s population, leaving much of the territory uninhabitable.

Anniversary of October 7 Attack Nears

The latest developments come days before the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack on southern Israel. Thousands of militants stormed across the border, targeting military bases, communities, and a music festival. The unprecedented assault not only sparked one of the deadliest days in Israel’s history but also ignited a war that has devastated Gaza.

As the anniversary approaches, Trump has vowed to secure peace. In a social media post, he warned that if Hamas does not agree to the current deal by Sunday evening, Israel would unleash a devastating new military campaign. “If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” he wrote.

Outlook: Fragile Hope for Ceasefire

The combination of Trump’s high-profile intervention, international mediation, and Hamas’ partial acceptance of the plan has raised cautious optimism. Still, major obstacles remain, including questions over Gaza’s future governance, Hamas’ disarmament, and Israel’s conditions for ending the war.

For families of hostages and millions of Palestinians enduring dire humanitarian conditions, the next few days may prove decisive in determining whether the conflict moves toward peace or escalates further.