Hamas Agrees to Hostage Release, Gaza Technocratic Rule in Response to Trump’s Peace Proposal
Palestine – World leaders today reacted with optimism to the decision by Hamas to release all hostages held in Gaza and its willingness to engage with a US-led peace proposal, viewing the announcement as a potentially decisive moment in the ongoing conflict.
The breakthrough follows renewed diplomatic efforts spearheaded by President Donald Trump, who earlier this week unveiled a comprehensive 20-point peace plan aimed at resolving the long-running war between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas confirmed it has submitted its response to regional mediators, agreeing in principle to the release of all Israeli hostages—both living and deceased—and proposing to transfer Gaza’s administration to an independent technocratic body supported by Arab and Islamic nations.
The announcement drew immediate praise from international figures. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the move as a “major step toward ending hostilities,” throwing his support behind the US initiative and stressing the necessity of implementing the plan to facilitate a ceasefire, the return of hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilian population.
French President Emmanuel Macron underscored the urgency of the moment, highlighting that “the conditions for a ceasefire and the release of hostages were now within reach.”
Further adding to the chorus of international support were Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who welcomed the development and called for Hamas to fully implement the agreement, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who characterized the announcement as a positive step that presented an important opportunity to build on.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also welcomed Hamas’s announcement, expressing readiness to release hostages and engage with the peace proposal. Guterres urged all parties to “seize the opportunity” to end the conflict, reiterating his calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and unhindered humanitarian access. He also praised the crucial mediation efforts of Qatar and Egypt.
Responding on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump said the statement signaled Hamas’s “readiness for lasting peace,” and called on Israel to “halt bombing” immediately to ensure the safe and quick release of the hostages.
The US proposal, which has garnered rare international backing, outlines a framework that includes a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, a phased Israeli withdrawal, a demilitarised Gaza, and international oversight of the reconstruction process. The coordinated international response signals a renewed global momentum behind diplomatic efforts to halt the devastating conflict that has caused widespread suffering and instability across the region. ATP
