ISLAMABAD: Hamas says it is ready to free Gaza hostages under US President Donald Trump ceasefire proposal, AFP reported on Saturday.
"The movement announces its approval for the release of all hostages -- living and remains -- according to the exchange formula included in President Trump’s proposal," Hamas said in a statement, adding it was ready to enter negotiations "to discuss the details".
US President Donald Trump said Friday he believed Hamas was ready for peace and told Israel to stop bombing Gaza, after the Palestinian group declared it was ready to free hostages under his ceasefire plan.
"Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!" Trump posted on Truth Social.
The US president also shared Hamas' response to his peace proposal on Truth Social.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday that Israel was seeking the "immediate implementation" of US President Donald Trump's plan to free Israeli hostages in Gaza, after Hamas said it was ready for peace talks, according to AFP.
Closest to ceasefire, gratitude due to Trump: PM Sharif
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that a ceasefire was closer "than we have been since this genocide" started against the Palestinian people.
In a post on X, PM Sharif said Pakistan has always stood by the Palestinian people and shall always do so.
"Gratitude is due to President Trump, as well as to leaderships of Qatar, Saudia Arabia, UAE, Turkiye, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia who, met with President Trump on the sidelines of UNGA80 [United Nations General Assembly] for the resolution of the Palestinian issue," PM Sharif said.
"The statement issued by Hamas creates a window for a ceasefire and ensuring peace that we must not allow to close again," he said.
He added that Pakistan would continue to work with all its partners and friendly nations to everlasting peace in Palestine.
'Immediate implementation'
"In light of Hamas's response, Israel is preparing for the immediate implementation of the first stage of the Trump plan for the release of all the hostages," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
"We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team to end the war in accordance with the principles set out by Israel, which align with President Trump's vision."
Israel's political echelon instructed the military to reduce offensive activity in Gaza after it said it was preparing for an "immediate implementation" of the first stage of US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan following Hamas' response on the plan, according to Reuters.
A statement issued by Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations stated: “The Secretary-General welcomes and is encouraged by the statement issued by Hamas announcing its readiness to release hostages and to engage on the basis of the recent proposal by US President Donald J Trump.”
“He urges all parties to seize the opportunity to bring the tragic conflict in Gaza to an end. The Secretary-General also thanks Qatar and Egypt for their invaluable mediation work. The Secretary-General reiterates his consistent call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and unfettered humanitarian access,” the statement said.
“The United Nations will support all efforts toward these objectives to prevent even more suffering,” it added.
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