Donald Trump Orders Israel to ‘Immediately’ Stop Bombing Gaza as Hamas Agrees to Release Hostages

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Israel to “immediately” halt its bombing campaign in Gaza, following Hamas’s partial acceptance of his ultimatum to end the nearly two-year-long conflict.

According to Trump’s plan, Hamas has agreed to release all hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Additionally, Hamas has agreed to relinquish governing authority in the Gaza Strip as part of a broader peace initiative.

On Friday evening, Hamas issued a statement seeking further negotiations on other elements of Trump’s proposal. The group did not clarify whether it would disarm, which is a critical component of Trump’s plan, unveiled earlier this week.

A photograph from September 15, 2025, shows a man and children sitting in exposed rooms of a heavily damaged building near the Unknown Soldier Tower in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, destroyed by overnight Israeli bombardment.

Despite Hamas’s cautious response, Trump expressed optimism on Truth Social : “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! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone; this is about long-sought PEACE in the Middle East.”

In a brief video message, Trump described the day as “very special” and added, “Everybody will be treated fairly.”

This unprecedented directive highlights that Israel and Hamas are now closer than ever in the past two years to achieving an end to the conflict in Gaza.

Following Hamas’s announcement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was preparing to implement the first stage of the plan, which involves the immediate release of all hostages. The statement emphasized Israel’s commitment to cooperate fully with Trump’s team to end the war but did not explicitly address Trump’s call for halting the bombing.

Trump is widely regarded as the only international figure capable of compelling Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire.

Despite Trump’s order, Israeli tanks reportedly continued to bombard Talateeni Street, a major thoroughfare in Gaza City, shortly after the message was delivered. Witnesses also reported intensified airstrikes in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood and in Khan Younis, although no casualties were immediately reported.

An AFP journalist in the coastal area of Al-Mawasi described hearing celebratory cries of “Allahu Akbar!” from Palestinian tents as news of Hamas’s response spread. Samah Al-Hu, a displaced resident of Al-Mawasi, said, “The moment I read the news … my body trembled and shivered. A feeling came over me, like, ‘Oh Allah, at last relief has come to us.’”

Earlier on Friday night, Hamas confirmed its approval of releasing all Palestinian prisoners—both living and deceased—according to the exchange formula proposed by Trump. Hamas also expressed readiness to transfer administrative control of the Gaza Strip to a body of independent Palestinian technocrats supported by Arab and Islamic nations.

However, the group emphasized that other issues in Trump’s plan, including disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawal, and international guarantees for a lasting ceasefire, would require further negotiation within a unified Palestinian national framework. A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group would not disarm before Israel ends its occupation of Gaza, highlighting the existing gap between the parties.

Trump’s plan envisions an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza, a hostage and prisoner exchange within 72 hours, a phased Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and the establishment of a transitional authority overseen by Trump. It also includes substantial humanitarian aid and reconstruction for the war-torn Gaza Strip, parts of which are facing famine.

While the plan is seen as unfavorable to Hamas—potentially ending the group’s status as an armed faction—it has received broad international support. Regional and global powers have welcomed the initiative, recognizing the severe humanitarian crisis caused by the prolonged blockade and bombardment.

Hamas’s agreement to release hostages is a significant step, as the 48 hostages have been central bargaining tools throughout the nearly two-year conflict. Relinquishing them reduces Hamas’s leverage in future negotiations.

The ongoing conflict has exacted a devastating toll on civilians. According to Gaza health authorities, at least 66,288 Palestinians have been killed and approximately 170,000 injured since the war began, not accounting for those buried under rubble or indirectly affected by the conflict.

International responses have been swift. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties to seize the opportunity to end the conflict. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for the Trump plan’s immediate implementation, describing Hamas’s acceptance as “a significant step forward.” French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz similarly expressed optimism, emphasizing the plan’s potential to achieve lasting peace after nearly two years of warfare.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Hamas’s response and confirmed ongoing coordination with Egypt and the United States to facilitate negotiations.

This development marks a pivotal moment in the Gaza conflict, offering a potential pathway toward peace while highlighting the delicate balance between international diplomacy, regional politics, and humanitarian concerns.

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