Trump Orders Halt to Gaza Bombing After Hamas Accepts Key Elements of His Peace Plan
In a surprise move, US President Donald Trump ordered Israel to stop its bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip on Friday, following an announcement by Hamas that it would partially accept his peace plan. The development has raised hopes for a lasting peace agreement in the region, but key aspects of the plan remain unresolved.
According to sources close to the negotiations, Hamas agreed to release hostages and transfer power to other Palestinian groups as part of Trump's plan. However, senior Hamas officials indicated ongoing disagreements that require further negotiations. "We are willing to accept some elements of the plan, but we need more time to discuss the details," said a Hamas spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous.
The peace plan, which was unveiled by Trump in recent weeks, aims to end the nearly two-year war and return all remaining hostages taken in the October 7, 2023, attack. The plan has been met with skepticism by many in the region, but Trump hailed the move as a step towards "lasting PEACE." "This is a major breakthrough, and I am confident that we can achieve lasting peace in the Middle East," he said in a statement.
The Israeli government's response to the development remains uncertain. According to sources within the Israeli military, the bombing campaign was halted on Friday evening, but it is unclear whether this will be a permanent cessation of hostilities. "We are monitoring the situation closely and will take further action if necessary," said an Israeli military spokesperson.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has been working with the US and Israel to provide aid to civilians in the region, welcomed the development. "This is a positive step towards peace, but we must ensure that all parties work together to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza," said the foundation's director, who wished to remain anonymous.
The move has also sparked debate among experts and analysts, with some hailing it as a major breakthrough and others expressing skepticism about its feasibility. "This is a complex issue, and there are many factors at play," said Dr. Ali Abunimah, a Middle East expert at the University of Chicago. "While this development is promising, we must remain cautious and ensure that all parties work towards a lasting peace agreement."
The current status of the negotiations remains unclear, but sources indicate that further talks will be held in the coming days to iron out the details of the plan. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the path to lasting peace in the Middle East is fraught with challenges and uncertainties.
Sources:
Wafaa Shurafa, Bassem Mroue, Joseph Krauss, and The Associated Press
Fortune
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This story was compiled from reports by Fortune and Fortune.