Hamas agrees to release all Israeli hostages

Hamas says it has agreed to release all Israeli hostages, living or dead, as part of US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan.

In a statement on Friday, the militant group said it was prepared to “immediately engage in negotiations through mediators to discuss details of this matter”.

The Palestinian militant group also said it agrees to hand over the administration of Gaza to an independent body of technocrats, “based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support”.

“Other issues mentioned in President Trump’s proposal regarding the future of the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people are connected to a unified national position and relevant international laws and resolutions,” Hamas said.

“They will be addressed through a comprehensive Palestinian national framework, in which Hamas will participate and contribute responsibly.”

Hamas’s acceptance comes just hours after Trump offered a firm ultimatum for the group to respond to his proposal by Sunday evening.

A failure to respond, Trump warned, would cause “all HELL, like no one has ever seen before” to break out.

The White House had unveiled the 20-point roadmap for peace in Gaza on Monday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to meet with Trump in Washington.

The plan included an immediate end to military operations and the release of all hostages within 72 hours.

It also detailed that Hamas would have no governing role in Gaza. Instead, the enclave would be governed by a “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee” and a “board of peace” made up of international leaders.

Netanyahu had agreed to the plan on the basis that it “fulfilled Israel’s war goals”.

There has been no immediate comment from Trump’s administration.

It is also unclear how or when the proposed peace deal, now accepted by Israel and Hamas, will be implemented.(The Cable)