JERUSALEM, Israel – In a dramatic turn in the two-year Gaza war, Hamas announced on Friday that it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, marking the most significant breakthrough toward peace since the conflict began.
The announcement followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive ordering Israel to “immediately stop bombing Gaza,” saying Hamas’s acceptance of key parts of his peace plan showed readiness for a lasting settlement.
Hamas also offered to surrender governing power in Gaza, though it requested further negotiations on other aspects of Trump’s proposal.
Israel’s government said it was preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the plan’s first stage to free all hostages, signaling cautious optimism.
Despite the political breakthrough, reports indicated Israeli airstrikes continued briefly in Gaza City and Khan Younis.
Witnesses said explosions rocked residential areas even as displaced Palestinians in Al-Mawasi cheered the potential end to years of bloodshed.
Trump called the day “very special,” adding, “Everybody will be treated fairly. This is not just about Gaza, it’s about peace in the Middle East.”
The coming days will determine whether the ceasefire and prisoner exchange hold, potentially ending one of the region’s deadliest modern conflicts.
