Hamas agrees to release all Gaza hostages but seeks tweaks to Trump’s peace plan to end war

The Hamas group announced on Friday, October 3, 2025, its willingness to release all 48 Israeli hostages held in Gaza, including both the living and deceased, as outlined in the peace proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump. The response came hours after Trump’s ultimatum, demanding acceptance by Sunday under threat of escalated Israeli military operations. The statement, shared on Telegram, emphasizes immediate entry into mediated negotiations to resolve differences in the 20-point plan.

This stance emerges amid the nearly two-year conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,200 in Israel and led to an offensive causing over 66,000 deaths in Gaza, per local authorities.

Hamas conditions the release on guarantees of a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli troop withdrawal from the enclave.

• Key hostages: 20 alive, 28 dead or presumed dead.
• Proposed exchange: Israel releases 250 life-sentence prisoners and 1,700 Gaza detainees.
• Timeline: 72 hours post-agreement.

Internal tensions within Hamas

Hamas’s political leadership in Doha, Qatar, leans toward conditional approval, prioritizing an immediate end to the war. This faction sees Trump’s backing as a chance to ensure implementation via mediators like Qatar and Egypt.

However, the military wing in Gaza resists clauses demanding full disarmament and exclusion from the enclave’s future governance. Internal sources indicate this division delays a unified response, with debates over Palestinian sovereignty.

Details of the American proposal

Trump’s plan, accepted by Israel on Monday, September 29, calls for an immediate halt to fighting and a freeze of battle lines during the prisoner exchange. Israeli forces would gradually withdraw to a security perimeter, tied to Gaza’s demilitarization.

The initiative includes massive humanitarian aid inflows, aligned with the January 2025 agreement, focusing on rebuilding infrastructure like water, electricity, and hospitals. Distribution would be handled by the UN and the Red Crescent, with Rafah crossing open in both directions.

Additionally, the plan ensures Israel will not annex Gaza, maintaining a limited presence until terrorist threats are eliminated. A special economic zone would be established for reconstruction, with preferential tariffs negotiated by participating countries.

Lastly, the plan opens a path for interfaith dialogue promoting coexistence, without forcing population displacements and encouraging residents to stay for a revitalized Gaza.

Transition and reconstruction mechanisms

Gaza’s administration would shift to a committee of independent Palestinian technocrats, overseen by the “Peace Council,” an international body chaired by Trump, including figures like Tony Blair. This council would manage public services and funding until the Palestinian Authority, post-reforms, resumes control.

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Hamas militants opting for peaceful coexistence would receive amnesty and could leave with safe passage, provided the group renounces any governance role.

Demilitarization would involve destroying tunnels and weapons, with independent monitoring and an internationally funded reintegration program.

Regional reactions to the plan

Arab nations, European countries, and the Palestinian Authority expressed initial support, seeing potential for stability. Mediators like Egypt and Turkey urge Hamas for concessions, highlighting civilian benefits in Gaza.

Analysts note that full rejection could isolate the group, prolonging humanitarian suffering with over 168,000 injuries reported. Israel vows to continue operations without full compliance.

A Hamas source stressed the initial focus on prisoner exchange, deferring Palestinian rights discussions to unified national forums.

Advances in humanitarian aid

The proposal ensures minimum supplies of food, medicine, and debris-clearing equipment, benefiting 2.3 million residents. This includes reopening bakeries and roads, critical after bombings destroyed 80% of infrastructure.

International organizations are preparing logistics for equitable distribution, avoiding disruptions seen in earlier conflict phases.

The aid influx aims to mitigate starvation, which has caused 440 deaths, including 147 children, per UN data.