US President Donald Trump has publicly called on the Israeli occupation to immediately stop its bombardment of Gaza, shortly after Hamas delivered its official response to his proposal to end the war.

“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, stressing that a cessation of attacks is necessary to ensure the safe release of Israeli captives held in Gaza. He described Hamas’s response as a sign of the Movement’s readiness for a “lasting peace,” and confirmed that discussions on the details of the plan are ongoing.

“This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought peace in the Middle East,” Trump added.

Hamas announced on Friday evening that it had officially submitted its response to Trump’s Gaza plan after extensive internal consultations with its leadership institutions, other Palestinian factions, and international mediators.

In its statement, the Movement expressed appreciation for the efforts of Arab, Islamic, and international actors — including those of President Trump — aimed at halting the genocidal war on Gaza, securing the entry of humanitarian aid, preventing further displacement of Palestinians, and rejecting Israeli occupation policies in the Strip.

The Palestinian Resistance also affirmed its acceptance of a framework for a prisoner exchange deal. Hamas said it was ready to release all Israeli captives, both living and deceased, according to the formula outlined in Trump’s proposal, once field conditions allow. The group underscored its readiness to immediately enter negotiations through mediators — particularly Qatar, Egypt, and the US — to finalize the details.

Hamas reiterated that it is prepared to hand over the administration of Gaza to an independent Palestinian technocratic body, formed on the basis of national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic states. Such a move, the group said, would ensure that Gaza’s governance remains Palestinian while safeguarding the Strip against continued occupation interference.

At the same time, Hamas stressed that other provisions in Trump’s proposal concerning Gaza’s long-term future and the broader question of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights — including the right to self-determination and statehood — are matters that require a unified Palestinian decision. These, it emphasized, must be addressed in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

The announcement comes as Gaza continues to endure relentless Israeli bombardment that has left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead — the majority of them women and children — and forced millions into displacement under catastrophic humanitarian conditions.

Hamas’s response to Trump’s plan is being viewed across the Arab and Islamic world as a responsible, unified, and strategic step aimed at protecting the Palestinian people, ensuring the flow of humanitarian relief, and advancing the struggle against occupation.

Analysts note that Trump’s unprecedented call for Israel to halt its aggression marks a turning point in the political landscape. If translated into action, it could represent the first concrete opening toward a ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and broader efforts to secure justice for the Palestinian people after decades of occupation and siege. (ILKHA)