President Donald Trump says peace in the Middle East is “very close.”
“Everybody was unified in wanting this war to end and seeing peace in the Middle East, and we’re very close to achieving that,” Trump said in a video message from the Oval Office Friday evening after Hamas agreed to accept elements of the president’s 20-point peace deal.
“I want to thank the countries that helped me put this together—Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and so many others, so many people fought so hard,” Trump said of the negotiations for a hostage deal and ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel. “This is a big day. We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down and concrete.”
The proposed plan, which Israel has accepted, includes the immediate release of the nearly 50 hostages still in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, and requires Hamas to fulling surrender Gaza to a Palestinian ruling body.
“Very importantly, I look forward to having the hostages come home to their parents,” Trump said.
Nevertheless, Hamas suggested that this was not a done deal. The terrorist organization issued a statement Friday saying while it agreed to “releasing all occupied prisoners,” there remained “details” of the agreement that need to be discussed and negotiated.
“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday evening. “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly … this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
Since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has been conducting an intense campaign against the radical Islamic terrorist organization in Gaza. In July, Israel launched a new aggressive campaign in Gaza City. The increased pressure from Israel, and Trump likely contributed to Hamas’ statement. Still, some political leaders and pundits expressed skepticism over Hamas’ sincerity.
“Hamas’ recent response to President Trump’s plan to end the war—which Israel had accepted—is unfortunately predictable. A classic ‘Yes, but,’” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote on X.
“No disarmament, keeping Gaza under Palestinian control, and tying hostage release to negotiations, along with other problems,” Graham said. “This is, in essence, a rejection by Hamas of President Trump’s ‘take it or leave it’ proposal.”
“As predicted, Hamas says it accepts President Trump’s deal and will release all the hostages but wants to discuss the details,” Michael Oren, former Israel ambassador to the U.S., wrote on X.
“The details will be Hamas’ demand that it keep its guns—much like Hezbollah in Lebanon—and take part in Gaza’s postwar government. There must be no ‘yes but’ with the terrorists who have brought untold destruction and suffering to millions. Trump’s deal must be take it as it is or die,” the former ambassador said.
Khaled Hassan, national security and foreign policy researcher, said Trump’s “proposal was a clear ‘take it or leave it’ offer, with its core objectives being the disarmament of Hamas and its complete removal from power in Gaza.”
Instead, Hassan says, “Hamas’ response, while a tactical move, fundamentally rejects these objectives.”
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- Deal or No Deal? Why Israel Launched Ground Attack in a Gaza City It Hadn’t Entered Since War Began
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