Hamas has declared its readiness to free all Israeli hostages—dead and alive—on condition that "the field conditions for the exchange are met."
The movement also declared willingness to negotiate, through mediators, on former U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East peace proposal.
In a statement released Friday, Hamas stated that the group "affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details of this agreement."
The statement also added, “The movement also renews its agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats), based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.”
This reaction followed Trump announcing a 20-point peace plan at the White House on Monday in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump's office and Netanyahu's office reacted positively to Hamas's comments.
“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that," Trump posted on Truth Social. "We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East."
Subsequently, in a video address on Truth Social, Trump stated, "This is a big day. We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete."
Netanyahu's office, in a statement Friday, also embraced Hamas's stance, adding, “In light of Hamas’s response, Israel is preparing to immediately implement the first phase of Trump’s plan for the immediate release of all hostages.”
It went on to say, “We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles set forth by Israel that are consistent with President Trump’s vision.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on its part verified through Telegram that it has initiated preparatory measures to enable the plan's implementation.
"In accordance with the directives from the political echelon, the Chief of the General Staff instructed to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan for the release of the hostages," the IDF said.
There are still 48 hostages in Gaza, of whom an estimated 20 are assumed to be alive.
Trump had issued an ultimatum to Hamas earlier on Friday to agree to the ceasefire proposal by Sunday at 6 p.m.
"If this LAST CHANCE deal is not consummated, all HELL, like the world has never ever seen, will erupt against Hamas," he threatened in a long Truth Social post.
Hamas also said it wants further negotiations on other aspects of Trump's peace plan.
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