Hamas agrees to release all hostages and hand over Gaza under Trump's plan
Photo: Hamas accepts Donald Trump's peace plan (Getty Images)
Hamas militants have agreed to release all hostages they have held since October 7, 2023, and to hand over Gaza to the administration of the Palestinian authority, Al Jazeera reports.
The group claimed it is willing to free all Israeli hostages, both living and dead, in order to end the war and ensure the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave.
"In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement," Hamas said.
The statement also emphasized Hamas militants’ willingness to transfer control of Gaza to an independent body of Palestinian technocrats "based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support."
Other issues outlined in Trump’s plan "will be addressed through a comprehensive Palestinian national framework, in which Hamas will participate and contribute responsibly."
Hamas still holds 48 hostages in the Gaza Strip. According to unconfirmed reports, only 20 of them remain alive.
Trump’s peace plan
Earlier today, October 3, US President Donald Trump said he is giving Hamas militants a final chance to respond to his 20-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip.
He stated that he expects a response by 6:00 p.m. Washington time on October 5. The US leader warned that if Hamas refuses to implement the plan, "hell like no one has ever seen before, will break out against" the militants.
Notably, Trump’s plan called for the complete release of hostages held by Hamas in a single stage.
Washington also proposed transferring the Gaza Strip to the control of an apolitical Palestinian committee under the supervision of an international body - the Peace Council.
Trump himself would head the Peace Council, which would include other global leaders, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
More details on the US plan can be found in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
