Hamas Responds to US Gaza Peace Plan: Agrees to Release Hostages, Seeks Key Changes

Published: October 1, 2025 | Kathryn Armstrong | Reuters

Hamas has officially responded to the US-backed Gaza peace plan, agreeing in principle to release Israeli hostages but requesting changes on several critical points regarding Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights.

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Hamas Agrees to Hostage Release Under Conditions

In its statement, Hamas said it was willing “to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and deceased, according to the exchange formula in President Trump’s proposal,” provided that field conditions are met.

The deal outlines the release of 20 Israeli hostages—believed to be alive—within 72 hours, along with the return of remains of deceased captives. In exchange, hundreds of Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons would be freed.

Calls for Further Negotiation

While Hamas accepted parts of the US plan, it emphasized that other issues—including the governance of Gaza and the rights of Palestinians—remain under discussion. Hamas also said it supports handing administrative control of Gaza to a neutral technocratic Palestinian committee backed by Arab and Islamic nations.

Trump’s Deadline and Warning

US President Donald Trump has given Hamas a deadline of 18:00 Washington time (22:00 GMT) on Sunday to accept the peace plan, warning that rejection would trigger “all hell” against the group.

On his Truth Social account, Trump wrote:

“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later reinforced that the consequences of refusal would be “very grave,” urging Hamas to seize this opportunity for peace.

Key Features of the 20-Point Peace Plan

The joint US-Israeli peace plan, announced at the White House by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, includes:

• An immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

• Hostage releases within 72 hours.

• Gaza governance under a temporary technocratic Palestinian committee, overseen by an international transitional body called the Board of Peace, headed by Trump.

• Immediate delivery of humanitarian aid once both parties agree.

• Exclusion of Hamas from any future governing role in Gaza.

While the plan mentions the possibility of a future Palestinian state, Netanyahu reaffirmed his opposition to such an outcome.

Global Reaction

The peace initiative has received mixed reactions worldwide:

• The Palestinian Authority welcomed Trump’s efforts as “sincere and determined.”

• European and Middle Eastern leaders expressed cautious support.

• Pakistan, however, raised concerns, stating the plan differed from proposals made by Muslim-majority nations.

Conflict Background and Humanitarian Crisis

The proposal comes amid Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza City, launched after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.

Since then, more than 66,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health authorities. UN agencies continue to raise alarms over humanitarian conditions, criticizing Israel’s declared “safe zones” as ineffective while schools and shelters face repeated strikes.

Bottom Line

Hamas’ partial acceptance of the US peace plan signals a possible opening for negotiations but leaves major questions unresolved—particularly regarding Gaza’s future governance and Palestinian statehood. The coming days will be critical, as Hamas weighs its final decision against Trump’s ultimatum and Israel’s continuing military pressure.

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