Trump announces progress in Gaza negotiations: Hamas responds and a peace plan is approaching

In an unprecedented development, U.S. President Donald Trump announced yesterday evening that Hamas has expressed its willingness for lasting peace, expressing hope that Israel will immediately stop bombing the Gaza Strip so that the process of safely and quickly releasing the prisoners from the territory can take place.

Trump said in a post on his "Truth Social" account: "Based on the statement issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for lasting peace. Israel must stop bombing Gaza immediately, so we can safely and quickly release the prisoners! Right now, it is very dangerous to do so."

He added that this is not just about Gaza, but about the long-awaited peace in the entire Middle East.

Trump accompanied his post with a picture of Hamas's response in English to his peace plan, and later published a video in which he pledged to deal fairly with all parties, describing this day as "very special and perhaps unprecedented."

He said in his video message: "Everyone will be treated fairly. This is a big day... We will see how it ends. We must write the last word in a tangible way."

The U.S. president emphasized his eagerness to return the prisoners, including the deceased, to their families.

Trump also thanked several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, for their efforts in advancing the peace process, affirming that "we are very close to achieving peace in the Middle East."

For its part, Hamas announced on Friday evening through an official statement that it has delivered its response to the mediators _Egypt and Qatar_ regarding Trump's plan, confirming its acceptance of some provisions of the plan while requesting negotiations on other provisions.

Hamas confirmed that it conducted "in-depth consultations within its leadership institutions, and extensive consultations with Palestinian factions and forces, and the mediators, to reach a responsible position."

The movement expressed its appreciation for the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, and for Trump's calls to stop the war, exchange prisoners, and allow aid to enter immediately, while rejecting the occupation of the territory and the displacement of the Palestinian people from it.

Hamas's agreement included the release of all Israeli prisoners alive and deceased according to the exchange format proposed by Trump, and its readiness to begin immediate negotiations through the mediators.

It also agreed to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to an independent Palestinian technocratic body based on Palestinian national consensus, stressing that future issues for the territory and the rights of Palestinians will be discussed within a comprehensive national framework.