US President Donald Trump has called on Israel to immediately stop its bombardment of Gaza, following a statement from the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) indicating openness to a lasting peace. In a post on his Truth Social platform Friday evening, Trump said he believes Hamas is “ready for a lasting peace” and urged Israel to “stop bombing Gaza immediately so we can safely and quickly extract the hostages.”

Trump revealed that discussions are already underway to work out the details of his proposed plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict. “We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East,” he wrote, suggesting that his initiative extends beyond the immediate ceasefire to a broader regional peace framework.

Earlier in the evening, Hamas announced that it had officially responded to the mediators regarding Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza. The movement said it had conducted extensive consultations to reach a “responsible position” on the US President’s plan, motivated by its desire to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip that began on October 7, 2023.

In its statement, Hamas expressed appreciation for Arab, Islamic, and international mediation efforts, as well as for Trump’s initiative to halt the conflict. The group reiterated its calls for a comprehensive ceasefire, a prisoner exchange, immediate humanitarian aid access, and the rejection of any attempt to occupy Gaza or forcibly displace its residents.