PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ordered Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip after Hamas said it had accepted some elements of his plan to end the nearly two-year war and return all the remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
Hamas said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, but that other aspects of the plan require further consultations among Palestinians. Senior Hamas officials suggested there were still major disagreements that required further negotiations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was prepared for the implementation of the “first stage” of Trump’s plan, apparently referring to the release of hostages. But his office said in a statement that Israel was committed to ending the war based on principles it has set out before, without addressing potential gaps with Hamas.
MORE | Trump orders Israel to stop bombing Gaza after Hamas partially accepts his peace plan
Trump welcomed the Hamas statement, saying: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.”
“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. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out,” he wrote on social media.
Hamas said aspects of the proposal touching on the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and based on international law.
The statement also made no mention of Hamas disarming, a key Israeli demand included in Trump’s proposal.
Local Advocates React
In Philadelphia, advocates are closely watching developments.
“I am cautiously optimistic. We’ve been in this place several times, hoping that this deal will actually come to real life and we will see those hostages home,” said Dafna Ofer of the Hostage Family Forum of Philadelphia.
Ofer and fellow advocate Michal Mary have spent nearly two years pushing for the safe return of hostages.
“I think this time it will happen,” said Mary. “It’s been a tough two years for everyone – Israelis, Jewish people around the world, and Palestinians. So it’s time to end this.”
Hamas has also agreed to hand over administration of Gaza to other Palestinian groups, though more negotiations are needed to finalize the deal.
Osama Al-Qasem, president of the local Council on American-Islamic Relations, expressed concern about the long-term implications.
“There is no endgame in sight,” Al-Qasem said. “The plan calls for a Palestinian state, but Netanyahu already said it’s not going to happen. The plan says Israel has to leave gradually; there’s no timetable to leave.”
“I’m really hoping this time this will end and we can live together peacefully,” added Mary.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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