Hamas Announces Agreement to Release All Hostages Under Trump Peace Plan

October 3, 2025 — Gaza City / Jerusalem

Hamas announced Friday that it has agreed to release all Israeli hostages — both living and deceased — under the framework of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace proposal, marking the most significant breakthrough since the war began. In a statement, Hamas said the release would be carried out according to the “exchange formula” outlined in Trump’s plan and would depend on certain “field conditions” being met. The group also indicated its readiness to hand over administrative authority in Gaza to a technocratic Palestinian governing body, as envisioned in the proposal.

The announcement followed Trump’s ultimatum earlier in the week, in which he warned Hamas that it must accept his deal by Sunday evening or face consequences. “All hell will break loose,” Trump declared, setting a public deadline that increased pressure on the militant group.

Israeli officials have not yet formally responded to the announcement. The deal is expected to involve the return of hostages in exchange for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners, alongside international oversight of reconstruction efforts.

The move, if implemented, would conclude a months-long standoff that has seen partial exchanges but no comprehensive agreement. Previous negotiations faltered over disputes regarding security guarantees, the timing of prisoner releases, and the role of Hamas in Gaza’s future governance.

Mediators including Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are now expected to work intensively to verify Hamas’s commitments and establish the conditions needed for the release.

The plan could mark a turning point in the conflict, though significant challenges remain. Israeli officials are likely to demand strict security assurances, while skepticism persists over Hamas’s willingness to relinquish power and disarm.

For the families of hostages, however, Hamas’s declaration offers a glimmer of hope after months of uncertainty and grief. One Israeli advocacy group, Bring Them Home, issued a brief statement Friday: “This is the moment we have been waiting for. Words must now become action.”

If the agreement is carried out, it could open the door to a lasting ceasefire and a new political order in Gaza, though analysts caution that mistrust on both sides remains high.