Hamas Yields to Ultimatum, Paving Way for Hostage Release and Ceasefire

Hamas has yielded to a stern ultimatum from Donald Trump, announcing on Saturday its agreement to a peace framework that paves the way for the release of all Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. The group’s decision to accept key parts of a U.S.-led proposal marks a potential turning point in the devastating conflict.
The agreement came after Trump gave Hamas a Sunday evening deadline to accept his 20-point plan or face “all hell.” In its official statement, Hamas confirmed it would free all captives as part of a deal for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the war, and that it was ready for immediate, mediated negotiations.
A central element of the accepted framework is the future administration of the Gaza Strip. Hamas has consented to a plan to hand over governance to an independent body of technocrats, a move seen as essential for securing international support for reconstruction and ensuring long-term stability in the post-war period.
However, Hamas’s acceptance is not a blanket approval of the entire proposal. The group specified that other complex issues, particularly those related to the final political settlement and the “legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” require broader consultation and will be addressed separately through a unified national dialogue.
In response to Hamas’s statement, Trump declared that he believed the group was ready for peace and issued a public directive for Israel to halt its bombing campaign. This immediate call for de-escalation is aimed at facilitating the safe return of the hostages and transitioning all parties from conflict to diplomacy.