Post by : Rameen Ariff

US President Donald Trump on Saturday called on Israel to immediately stop bombing Gaza, following Hamas’ acceptance of parts of his Gaza peace plan. The plan includes the release of hostages held by Hamas. Trump said that halting the attacks is essential to ensure the safe return of hostages and expressed hope for a lasting peace in the Middle East. He described the day as “very special” and emphasized that this effort is not just about Gaza but about achieving a long-awaited peace in the region.

In posts on Truth Social, Trump thanked countries that helped broker the peace, including Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, highlighting their efforts in mediating discussions. He noted that some hostages are in critical condition and stressed the urgency of bringing them back to their families. Trump said, “We are already in discussions on the details to be worked out. All parties are working toward ending the war and ensuring peace.”

Trump had earlier issued an ultimatum to Hamas to accept his 20-point Gaza peace plan by Sunday or face consequences. Hours later, Hamas agreed to certain parts of the plan, including:

• Ending the war between Israel and Gaza
• Israel’s withdrawal from contested areas
• Releasing Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives
• Providing aid and recovery efforts for Gaza
• Opposing the expulsion of Palestinians from the territory

However, Hamas’ statement differed from Trump’s plan regarding the future governance of Gaza and its own role in the territory, calling for further negotiations on these issues.

Israel responded through Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, stating that it is preparing to implement the first stage of the peace plan to release all hostages. Israel emphasized that the security of its forces remains a top priority. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that all military capabilities are being mobilized in the Southern Command to protect their forces and respond rapidly to any threats. A special situation assessment was convened by the Chief of the General Staff to ensure readiness for the implementation of the plan.

The conflict in Gaza began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and 251 hostages taken to Gaza. Since then, Israeli military operations in Gaza have reportedly killed over 66,000 people, most of them civilians. Large parts of the strip have been destroyed, and restrictions on aid have triggered severe humanitarian crises, including famine in several areas.

Trump’s peace efforts have gained international attention, as governments and organizations work to end the two-year-long war that has left Gaza in a humanitarian emergency and Israel increasingly isolated diplomatically. The situation remains tense, with global leaders urging restraint while diplomatic efforts continue to implement the peace plan and safely release hostages.

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