Hamas has agreed to release the remaining Israeli hostages, marking a potentially significant step in efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The move, announced in response to a US-proposed peace plan, comes after weeks of mounting pressure on both sides. Families of hostages have greeted the news with cautious optimism, hoping for a long-awaited breakthrough.
According to Hamas, the release would include all Israeli prisoners, both living and deceased, in accordance with an exchange formula proposed by former US President Donald Trump. The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire and the return of hostages within 72 hours, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli custody. Currently, there are believed to be 48 hostages in Gaza, with only 20 confirmed alive.
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The group also agreed, in principle, to allow Palestinian technocrats to take over governance in Gaza, a key aspect of the US plan. However, Hamas stopped short of agreeing to disarmament, a central point that Israel has long insisted on.
Israeli officials are now reviewing Hamas’ statement carefully, weighing whether it signals genuine progress or an effort to extend negotiations. Skepticism is expected within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, especially as the proposal comes shortly after Trump set a Sunday deadline, warning of severe consequences if Hamas did not comply.
Trump, calling the Hamas response a “big day,” urged Israel to immediately halt airstrikes on Gaza to ensure the safe return of hostages. While the announcement offers a glimmer of hope, experts note that significant details remain unresolved, and the path to lasting peace in the region is still uncertain.
