Hamas agrees in principle to Trump's Gaza peace plan as Sunday deadline looms

Hamas has agreed in principle to key parts of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, submitting its response to mediators on Friday night — ahead of a Sunday-evening deadline after which Trump warned “all hell” would break out against the group.

In a statement, Hamas said it would release all Israeli hostages, both living and dead, under the exchange framework in the Trump plan, and was ready to begin immediate negotiations through mediators. It also agreed to hand Gaza’s administration to a Palestinian body of independent technocrats backed by Arab and Islamic countries.

The response stopped short of full endorsement: Hamas said other issues, including Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights, would be handled within a collective Palestinian framework under international law. The BBC reports the group’s military leadership in Gaza strongly opposes the plan, while political leaders in Qatar are more open but hold little sway over the hostages.

Trump announced the plan alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week. It demands the release of the 20 hostages believed alive — of 48 still held — plus the remains of the dead, within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance. In return, Israel would free Palestinian prisoners, and Hamas would disarm and be excluded from future governance under a transitional “Board of Peace” Trump says he would lead.

After receiving the Hamas response, Trump demanded Israel immediately stop bombing Gaza. The deadline is 6pm Washington time on Sunday (2200 GMT).