Donald Trump’s high-stakes diplomatic gambit has yielded a major breakthrough, with Hamas agreeing to significant concessions as part of a proposed peace deal. The group announced on Saturday its commitment to release all Israeli hostages and to accept the formation of a new, independent government in Gaza, two cornerstones of Trump’s 20-point plan.
This major development follows an aggressive diplomatic push from Trump, who had imposed a Sunday deadline and threatened massive consequences for non-compliance. Hamas’s statement, which Trump shared, affirmed its readiness for immediate negotiations, signaling that the former president’s pressure tactics successfully brought the group to the table on his terms.
One of the most transformative elements of the agreement is the political future of Gaza. Hamas has consented to hand over the administration of the Strip to a body of Palestinian technocrats, backed by a national consensus and regional powers. This paves the way for the disarmament of the group and the establishment of a new political order.
While the concessions on hostages and governance are historic, Hamas noted that its agreement is not all-encompassing. The group’s statement indicated that other aspects of the peace plan, particularly those related to the long-term political rights of Palestinians, would require further negotiation and a unified national stance, in line with international law.
With Hamas’s statement in hand, Trump immediately called on Israel to cease hostilities. He declared his belief in the group’s readiness for peace and demanded a halt to the bombing of Gaza to ensure the safe retrieval of the hostages. This places the onus on Israel to act swiftly and transition from a military campaign to a diplomatic process.