BREAKING: Hamas accepts Trump's Deal; Israel Halts Gaza Operations

Following Hamas’s agreement to return to negotiations over the release of hostages, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a halt to airstrikes in Gaza and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to the pause. Accelerated talks on the release of hostages are to begin in Egypt — over the coming week, not within 72 hours as Trump initially demanded. Prime Minister Netanyahu will deliver a public statement this evening.

In an official Hamas statement the group wrote:

“After thoroughly reviewing President Trump’s plan, the following response was conveyed to the mediators, Hamas appreciates the Arab, Islamic and international efforts, as well as the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, which call for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip, large-scale prisoner exchanges, immediate entry of aid, postponement of the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the uprooting of our Palestinian people from it.”

The statement continued:

“In this context - and in order to achieve a cessation of hostilities and a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip - the movement announces its agreement to release all Israeli hostages, both alive and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, provided that the necessary conditions on the ground are met. In this context, the movement confirms its willingness to immediately enter negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details.”

Hamas also said it renews its agreement to hand over administration of the Gaza Strip to an independent Palestinian body (technocrats) based on a Palestinian national consensus and with Arab and Islamic support. Other issues raised in President Trump’s proposal concerning the future of Gaza and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, the statement said, relate to an overall national position and will be discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian national framework in which Hamas will participate and take full responsibility.

Following Hamas’s positive response, at Trump’s instruction Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered a halt to operational activity in Gaza.

Palestinian mediator Bishara Bahbah told Al-Arabiya channel: "Trump's quick statement confirms that he did not consult with Netanyahu beforehand. Meetings have begun between the mediators to formulate the details of the agreement. The Trump administration will assess Hamas's seriousness in releasing all the hostages."

Trump wrote after receiving Hamas’s reply: “Based on the statement released by Hamas, I believe they are ready for an enduring peace. Israel must immediately stop the bombings in Gaza so that we can remove the hostages safely and quickly! Right now it is too dangerous to do so. We are already in discussions on the details of the arrangement. This is not only about Gaza, but about long-awaited peace in the Middle East.”

The Prime Minister’s Office said: “In light of Hamas’s response, Israel is preparing to implement immediately the first stage of President Trump’s plan for the immediate release of all hostages. We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war in accordance with principles set by Israel that align with President Trump’s vision.”

From the Hostages Families’ HQ: “The Hostages Families’ HQ strengthens President Trump’s determination to bring back all hostages and to end the war. The President’s demand to stop the war now is essential. It will prevent severe and irreversible harm to the hostages.” The HQ called on the prime minister to order immediate, effective and rapid negotiations for the return of all hostages.

The Wall Street Journal, however, reported that despite the positive reply there remain disagreements within Hamas’s leadership, chiefly over disarmament and the terms for releasing hostages.

Earlier on Saturday, President Trump issued a blistering statement against Hamas, saying: “Hamas has been a cruel and violent threat for many years in the Middle East! They have killed (and made life unbearably miserable), and reached a climax in the massacre of October 7 in Israel, when they murdered and committed atrocities against babies, women, children, the elderly and many young men and women who wanted to celebrate their lives together.”

Trump added: “In retribution for the October 7 attack on civilization, more than 25,000 ‘fighters’ of Hamas have already been killed. Those remaining, surrounded and trapped militarily, only await the word ‘go’ from me so that their lives will end quickly.”

“Regarding other Hamas members,” he wrote: “We know where and who you are, and you will be killed or hunted down. I urge all innocent Palestinians to immediately leave this area of potential future death for safer parts of Gaza. Everyone will be well treated by those waiting to help.”

He continued: “Fortunately, we will give Hamas one last opportunity, as the great, powerful and very wealthy nations in the Middle East and surrounding areas, together with the United States of America, have agreed, with Israel’s signature, to peace after 3,000 years in the Middle East. This deal also spares the lives of remaining Hamas fighters! The details of the document are known to the world, and it is a great agreement for everyone! We will have peace in the Middle East one way or another. Violence and bloodshed will end.”

Finally, President Trump issued an ultimatum: “Hamas must release the hostages, all of them, including the dead, now! An agreement must be reached by Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. Washington, D.C. time (01:00 in Israel). Every country has signed! If this last-chance agreement is not achieved, there will be a terrible hell for Hamas such as no one has seen before. There will be peace in the Middle East one way or another. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Senior U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham praised Trump’s recent statement on the Gaza hostage situation, describing it as “completely accurate.” Graham emphasized that the priority must be the immediate release of hostages, followed by negotiations on the remaining 20-point plan. “The ball is in Hamas’ court,” he said, adding, “Peace through strength.”

The IDF has been instructed to reduce activity in Gaza to a “minimum” and conduct only “defensive actions,” according to IDF Military Radio. The operation to capture Gaza City has been halted.

A senior diplomatic source says negotiations on implementing the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace and hostage-release plan will start Monday.

A Hamas delegation is expected to leave Doha tomorrow and arrive in Cairo for the talks.