US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Israel has temporarily halted its bombing of the Gaza Strip to give the hostage release and the 20-point peace deal a chance, warning Hamas that delays would not be tolerated.
The announcement
"Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I will not tolerate delay... Let's get this done, FAST." In a separate post on Saturday, he said Israel had agreed to an initial withdrawal line that has been shown to Hamas: "When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal."
Netanyahu sets hostage timeline
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes to announce the release of all hostages "in the coming days." He said late Saturday that a delegation had been sent to Egypt to finalise technical details, with the goal of containing the negotiations to a timeframe of "a few days," as indirect talks with Hamas continued.
The deal's terms
The 20-point plan centres on a ceasefire-for-hostages exchange, a phased Israeli withdrawal, a demilitarised Gaza and international oversight of reconstruction and governance, with Hamas excluded from the governing structure. Once Israel publicly accepts the agreement, Hamas would have 72 hours to release all hostages, alive and deceased; in return Israel would free 250 life-sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7, 2023. Disarmed Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence would be given amnesty, with safe passage for those who wish to leave Gaza.
The development comes after Trump set a Sunday deadline for Hamas to accept the plan, warning of unprecedented consequences otherwise. Hamas announced it had accepted the proposal in principle and was ready for mediated talks.
Sources:
- IANS — Trump discloses Israel's halt of bombing in Gaza, urges Hamas to move quickly
The announcement
"Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I will not tolerate delay... Let's get this done, FAST." In a separate post on Saturday, he said Israel had agreed to an initial withdrawal line that has been shown to Hamas: "When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will begin, and we will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal."
Netanyahu sets hostage timeline
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes to announce the release of all hostages "in the coming days." He said late Saturday that a delegation had been sent to Egypt to finalise technical details, with the goal of containing the negotiations to a timeframe of "a few days," as indirect talks with Hamas continued.
The deal's terms
The 20-point plan centres on a ceasefire-for-hostages exchange, a phased Israeli withdrawal, a demilitarised Gaza and international oversight of reconstruction and governance, with Hamas excluded from the governing structure. Once Israel publicly accepts the agreement, Hamas would have 72 hours to release all hostages, alive and deceased; in return Israel would free 250 life-sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7, 2023. Disarmed Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence would be given amnesty, with safe passage for those who wish to leave Gaza.
The development comes after Trump set a Sunday deadline for Hamas to accept the plan, warning of unprecedented consequences otherwise. Hamas announced it had accepted the proposal in principle and was ready for mediated talks.
Sources:
- IANS — Trump discloses Israel's halt of bombing in Gaza, urges Hamas to move quickly
