Hamas bows to Trump as it agrees to most of Gaza demands in major breakthrough

Hamas has reportedly accepted some of Trump's demands (Image: Getty)

Hamas has reportedly accepted some elements of Trump's Gaza peace plan. This includes handing over the administration of Gaza and releasing all the remaining hostages. However, Hamas have said that it would seek further talks over many of its other terms, although it remains unclear whether the US President is prepared to negotiate.

Trump's 20-point plan called for an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of all hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional government led by an international body.

In its statement, Hamas said it “appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of US President Donald Trump, calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, (and) the immediate entry of aid,” among other terms.

"In this context, and in order to achieve a ceasefire and a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the movement announces its agreement to release all living and dead Israeli prisoners, in accordance with the exchange formula contained in President Trump's proposal, provided the necessary conditions are met on the ground for the exchange," they wrote.

But they then added: "In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through mediators to discuss the details of this process."

The militia said it was ready “to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing”.

But notably, they refused to say whether they are prepared to disarm, which is a key demand for both Israel and Trump.

Mediators have also reportedly informed Israel that Hamas will request additional time to return hostages, especially dead ones, and may also demand IDF withdrawal from certain areas of the Gaza Strip.

Under the terms of the peace plan, Hamas is supposed to return all living and dead hostages within 72 hours.

However, Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that the handover of prisoners and bodies within the stipulated time frame was "a theoretical and unrealistic matter in the current circumstances".

Earlier on Friday, Trump set Hamas a deadline of Sunday 6pm Washington DC time to agree to his Gaza peace plan or face the consquences.

"If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas," Trump thundered on his Truth Social website.

"THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. The violence and bloodshed will stop. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES, ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THE BODIES OF THOSE THAT ARE DEAD, NOW!"