Trump says that Israel must stop bombing Gaza immediately

President Donald Trump said on Friday that Israel should stop bombing Gaza immediately and that he thought Hamas is ready for peace after a previous statement by the Palestinian militant group.

Hamas said on Friday that it would accept certain aspects of the US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza War, in particular by releasing hostages and putting the administration of the enclave, but that it would ask for negotiations on many of its other conditions.

In a copy of the declaration seen by Reuters, Hamas published its response to the 20 point plan of Trump after the American president gave the Palestinian militant group until Sunday to accept or reject the proposal. Trump did not say if the conditions would be subject to negotiations, such as research.

In particular, Hamas has not said if he would accept a stipulation which he disarms, a request from Israel and the United States which it previously rejected.

In his declaration, Hamas said that he “appreciates the Arab, Islamic and international efforts, as well as the efforts of the American president Donald Trump, calling at the end of the war on the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, (and) the immediate entry of aid”.

He said that he announced “the approval of the release of all the prisoners of the occupation – both alive and remained – depending on the exchange formula contained in the proposal of President Trump, with the land conditions necessary for the implementation of the exchange”.

But Hamas added: “In this context, the movement affirms its desire to immediately enter, through mediators, negotiations to discuss details.”

The group said it was ready to “give the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian Independent Body (Technocrats) based on a Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic support”.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comments on Hamas’ response to the proposal, which is supported by Israel as well as the Arab and European powers.

Trump’s plan specifies an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of all the hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional government led by an international organization.