President Trump thanked Israel Saturday for stopping its attacks on Gaza so the ceasefire could start after the terrorist group agreed to parts of the deal Friday.
“I appreciate that Israel has temporarily stopped the bombing in order to give the Hostage release and Peace Deal a chance to be completed,” Mr. Trump wrote on social media.
“Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off,” he said. “I will not tolerate delay, which many think will happen, or any outcome where Gaza poses a threat again. Let’s get this done, FAST. Everyone will be treated fairly.”
Hamas agreed to some parts of Mr. Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza, releasing a statement saying it agreed to release all the remaining hostages, alive and dead, and surrender control to an independent Palestinian body.
The group said “the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter, through the mediators, into negotiations to discuss the details.”
It also said the future of the Gaza Strip should be up to a “Palestinian national consensus” and would involve Hamas. Mr. Trump’s proposal says the terrorist organization can’t play a role in the enclave’s future.
The statement, shared by Mr. Trump on Truth Social, also made no mention of Hamas disarming, another condition of the 20-point plan.
After the Hamas declaration, Mr. Trump said he believed the group was “ready for a lasting PEACE” and called on Israel to stop its attacks on the region so the hostages could be let out.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said Israel was prepared to implement the “first stage” of Mr. Trump’s plan, which includes the release of hostages and prisoners on both sides.
Hamas’ statement came after the president pressured the group to accept the deal or face “HELL.”
“Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” he posted earlier Friday. “There will be peace in the Middle East one way or the other.”
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.