Hamas said Friday that it’s agreed to release all Israeli hostages — living and dead — and said it was ready to begin negotiations for a peace deal.
In a statement, the militant group said it had held “extensive consultations” before agreeing to terms based on President Trump’s proposal for an end to the fighting in Gaza.
Hamas said it was ready to immediately begin negotiations through mediators to finalize details of the arrangement.
There are believed to be 48 hostages still being held in Gaza — 20 of whom believed to still be alive.
The news comes as Trump issued a 6 p.m. Sunday deadline for Hamas to agree to his peace deal, threatening that “all hell” would break loose if it didn’t. Trump unveiled his 20-point proposal on Monday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Islamic group also said it was willing to hand administrative control of Gaza to an independent Palestinian body — provided it is formed by national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic states, according to a statement published by Al Jazeera.
Hamas stressed that questions over Gaza’s long-term governance and broader Palestinian rights could only be decided within a wider national framework that includes all factions.
Earlier on Friday, Trump gave Hamas until 6 p.m. ET on Sunday to accept a 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan his administration unveiled, warning that failure to do so would bring “all hell” down on the group.
The plan — backed by Israel and several regional actors and delivered to Hamas by Qatari and Egyptian officials — calls for the simultaneous release of all 48 hostages (living and dead), the Palestinian group’s disarmament, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave and the formation of a civilian Palestinian governing authority.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the proposal but warned Israel would “finish the job” if Hamas rejected or failed to honor it.
The Post has reached out to the White House and the Israeli government seeking comment.
