Trump welcomes Hamas response to end Gaza war, putting pressure on Israel

President Trump welcomed Hamas’s response Friday to his proposal for ending the war in the Gaza Strip, turning pressure on Israel to accept a ceasefire. 

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said he believes Hamas is ready “for a lasting PEACE” before calling on Israel to end its bombing of the enclave.

“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that.” Trump wrote.

“We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East,” he continued.

Trump spoke out on Friday before any Israeli officials had issued a response. 

“We are already in discussions on details to be worked out,” Trump continued. “This is not about Gaza alone this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”

The president said he accepted Hamas’s response to his ultimatum to accept his 20-point peace plan or face “HELL”.

The White House posted on its X account Hamas’s response, which said it agreed to Trump’s framework to release all the hostages it holds, but hedged on the U.S. demand that Hamas lay down its arms and renounce governance in the strip. 

Qatar, which is mediating with Hamas, welcomed Trump’s remarks and said it is working to help “to complete discussions on the plan to ensure an end to the war.”

Updated at 5:52 p.m. EDT