US President Donald Trump on Saturday said Hamas was “ready for a lasting peace” and called on Israel to immediately halt its bombing campaign in Gaza after the Palestinian group agreed to release hostages and accept key parts of his 20-point plan to end the war.

The president’s remarks came shortly after Hamas issued its formal response to his ultimatum, signaling openness to negotiations but leaving thorny issues — including disarmament and Israel’s military withdrawal — unsettled.

Trump’s message to Israel

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! … This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”

—❗️🇺🇸/🇮🇱/🇵🇸 WATCH: President Trump has released a video statement regarding the Gaza deal, calling it a 'historic day'

He says he's looking forward to the hostages returning to their families, for peace in the Middle East, and he thanked the mediators.

@Middle_East_Spectator pic.twitter.com/FHntTl0Y0b
— Chris Hutchinson (@ChrisHu34451470) October 4, 2025

The White House later released a video address in which Trump thanked countries that supported his peace initiative, framing it as a historic chance to end a war that has killed tens of thousands since October 2023.

Israel’s initial response

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel was preparing for “immediate implementation” of the first stage of Trump’s plan, which calls for the release of Israeli hostages. Israeli media reported that the government instructed the military to scale down offensive operations in Gaza, though bombing and shelling were still reported in Gaza City and Khan Younis.

Witnesses said tanks and warplanes hit residential areas in Gaza City’s Talateeni Street and Remal neighborhood soon after Trump’s appeal.

Key points of Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan

The US proposal includes:

An immediate ceasefire
An exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners
A staged Israeli military withdrawal
The disarmament of Hamas
The creation of a transitional governance body under international oversight

Hamas has signaled agreement to release all captives — both living and remains — and to transfer administration of Gaza to a technocratic Palestinian body backed by Arab and Islamic states. But it rejected disarmament demands and foreign-led governance, particularly the involvement of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Unresolved issues

A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera the group would not agree to disarm before Israel ends its occupation, while also insisting on a full and immediate withdrawal rather than phased steps.

The group’s response stopped short of confirming whether it would relinquish political power in Gaza, instead calling for decisions on the enclave’s future to be taken through “Palestinian national consensus.”

International mediation

Qatar said it had begun coordination with Egypt and the United States to continue talks. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed Hamas’s response and urged all sides to seize the opportunity for peace.

The political developments unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing destruction in Gaza. According to health authorities in the enclave, Israel’s offensive has killed more than 66,000 people — most of them women and children — since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage.

Aid restrictions have deepened a humanitarian crisis, with UN investigators accusing Israel of committing genocide — charges Israel rejects, insisting its campaign is in self-defense.