Washington, October 4(HS): Palestinian militant group Hamas has agreed to the United States' Gaza peace proposal, announcing it will release all 48 Israeli hostages—dead or alive—within 72 hours of the deal taking effect and hand over Gaza's administration to an independent Palestinian body of technical experts. Following this announcement, US President Donald Trump has called on Israel to immediately cease bombardment in Gaza. Hamas announced its acceptance shortly after Trump issued a deadline for the group to accept the peace proposal.

President Trump's peace efforts are being praised amid prospects of ending Israel's nearly two-year military campaign in Gaza. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Trump's Gaza peace initiative, stating that the release of hostages is a crucial step.

Hamas issued a statement signaling its readiness to immediately join mediation talks, prompting Donald Trump to express satisfaction on Truth Social: Based on Hamas's statement, I believe they are ready for lasting peace.

Trump emphasized the need for Israel to stop bombing Gaza immediately to safely evacuate the hostages as soon as possible.

Hamas Ready for Peace Negotiations

Hamas stated it is prepared to immediately engage in talks through mediators for detailed discussions on Trump's Gaza plan. The group reiterated its willingness to transfer Gaza's administration to an independent Palestinian body of technical experts. Hamas has been running Gaza's administration until now.

According to The Times of Israel, Hamas is ready to release all remaining 48 hostages under the plan's conditions, which stipulates their release within 72 hours of a permanent ceasefire taking effect. In exchange, over 2,000 Palestinian security prisoners and bodies of deceased Gazans will be released. Israel will then complete the first phase of its withdrawal from Gaza.

Trump's Warning to Hamas

President Trump had given Hamas an ultimatum to reach a peace agreement with Israel by Sunday evening at 6 pm. He stated this was Hamas's final chance to accept the Gaza plan and release Israeli hostages, warning that failure to comply would have dire consequences.During Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent US visit, he and Trump discussed the American peace plan and reached consensus.

On September 30, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan issued a joint statement supporting Trump's Gaza peace proposal.Under America's Gaza peace proposal, Hamas must immediately release 48 Israeli hostages, approximately 20 of whom are believed to be alive. It must also relinquish power and weapons. Israel, meanwhile, will halt operations in Gaza, withdraw from most areas, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and allow humanitarian aid and reconstruction. International administration will be implemented for Gaza's approximately two million Palestinians.

Key Features of the 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan

-Israel will immediately halt military operations in Gaza and withdraw forces in phases.

-Hamas will release all hostages within 72 hours.

-Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, plus 1,700 detained Gazans.

-Hamas members who take an oath to coexist peacefully will be granted amnesty.

-Large-scale humanitarian aid will reach Gaza through at least 600 relief trucks daily.

-Hamas will have no role in Gaza's governance, and all terror tunnels and military structures will be destroyed.

-Gaza's administration will be under Palestinian technical experts, overseen by an international committee.

-Gaza will be made a terror-free zone.

-Gaza's reconstruction and development work will begin.

-Israel will neither annex Gaza nor maintain permanent occupation.

-The US will advance negotiations for political resolution of the Israel-Palestine dispute.

Hamas Terror Attack and Israel's Response

On October 7, 2023, Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel killed 1,195 people including 815 civilians, with many people and women taken hostage. Following this terror attack, Israel launched military operations in Gaza that have impacted the entire Middle East. The Gaza conflict has caused casualties in Gaza, various parts of Israel, southern Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran.Thousands have died in Israel's military operations in Gaza.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry and Israeli Foreign Ministry, over 68,300 people (66,414 Palestinians and 1,983 Israelis) have been killed in the Gaza war as of September 24, 2025, including 217 journalists and media workers, 120 academics and over 224 humanitarian aid workers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar