The Gaza-based group announced late on Friday that it was willing to release all of the remaining hostages but did not detail what points of Trump’s plan require further negotiations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hamas said late on Friday that it has accepted some elements of US President Donald Trump’s “21-point peace plan”, namely the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza, but noted that other elements require “further consultation”.
Some 50 hostages remain under Hamas captivity in Gaza, with around 20 of them still believed to be alive.
The statement came just hours after Trump said that Hamas must agree to the deal by Sunday evening, threatening an even greater military assault, as the war approaches the second-year mark.
“An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time,” wrote Trump earlier on Friday on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER,” added Trump.
It was unclear how Washington and Israel would respond to partial acceptance. The plan however has been fully accepted, and in part devised with, Israel, and was warmly welcomed by much of the international community.
The main points of the plan to end the war in Gaza were the release of the hostages, the disarming and disbandment of Hamas and the appointment of a provisional oversight government, run by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Trump said last week as he unveiled the plan alongside Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office that Hamas members wishing to stay in Gaza will be given amnesty, and those who don’t will be given “safe passage” to leave to other countries.
Our journalists are working on this story and will update it as soon as more information becomes available.