- By Supratik Das
- Sat, 04 Oct 2025 10:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Trump Gaza peace plan: US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged Hamas to swiftly move forward with his Gaza peace initiative after Israel temporarily scaled down its air and ground operations. The appeal came even as new Israeli strikes killed at least 21 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, underscoring the fragile nature of the pause.
“I appreciate that Israel has temporarily stopped the bombing in order to give the Hostage Release and Peace Deal a chance to be completed,” Trump said on Truth Social. “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off. I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again. Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly!” he added.
Despite the easing of bombardments, Gaza’s health authorities reported multiple deadly incidents on Saturday. At least ten people, including several children, were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a residential house in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood, medics said. The blast damaged nearby buildings and left multiple injured. Earlier in the day, 11 more people were killed in sporadic shelling and gunfire across Khan Younis and Rafah. Gaza’s health ministry said 66 people had died in the past 24 hours from Israeli fire, even as both sides discussed potential steps toward Trump’s ceasefire framework.
Hamas Accepts Core Points of Trump’s Plan
In a detailed statement issued Friday, Hamas said it “values the efforts” of President Trump, Arab states, and the international community to end the war. The group announced its willingness to release all Israeli hostages—both alive and deceased—under the conditions outlined in Trump’s 20-point peace plan. Hamas also supported the establishment of an “independent Palestinian administration” to govern Gaza, composed of technocrats and backed by Arab and Islamic nations. The group said the long-term political status of Gaza and Palestinian rights would be handled within a “comprehensive national framework.”
Israel Responds Positively, Awaits Next Steps
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel is ready to begin implementing the “first phase” of Trump’s plan following Hamas’s response. “We will continue to work in full coordination with the US President and his team to end the war in accordance with our national principles and the President’s vision,” the statement read. Israeli military officials confirmed that planned operations in Gaza had been paused since Thursday night as part of “operational assessments.” However, sporadic attacks continued, reflecting tensions on the ground.
A senior White House official said Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will travel to Cairo in the coming days to finalize the technical arrangements for a large-scale hostage release and discuss mechanisms for Gaza’s post-war governance. Egyptian media confirmed that both Israeli and Palestinian delegations are expected to attend “indirect talks” facilitated by Egypt’s intelligence service.
Trump’s proposal and Hamas’s initial acceptance drew cautious optimism from world leaders and the United Nations, with many describing the move as a “turning point” in one of the world’s most protracted conflicts. Across Israel, families of hostages urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to act quickly. “It’s time to end this horrific war and bring every single hostage home,” said Efrat Machikawa, a member of Israel’s Hostage Families Forum.
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The war, now in its third year since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis, has left more than 67,000 Palestinians dead and millions displaced, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel says 48 hostages remain, 20 of them believed to be alive. As diplomats prepare to meet in Cairo, the world watches closely and Trump’s message remains firm, “Let’s get this done, fast.”