Hamas ‘ready for lasting peace’, Trump claims - as group agrees to release hostages

Sir Keir Starmer has labelled the partial acceptance of the peace plan as a "significant step forwards" and called for an "agreement without delay".

Hamas said it has accepted elements of the plan to end the nearly two-year war, including being willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians.

Further negotiations were needed on other areas, according to senior Hamas officials.

The US President unveiled the 20-point peace pan earlier this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Earlier, Trump said Hamas have until 6pm on Sunday to agree to the deal, or "all hell" will break out.

In a social media post, Trump confirmed the news saying he believes Hamas is "ready for a lasting peace" and Israel must "stop the bombing of Gaza".

Mr Trump welcomed the Hamas statement, posting on social media: "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!

"Right now, it's far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out."

Read more: Man seriously injured and 234,000 without power across Ireland as Storm Amy arrives

Read more: Deputy PM David Lammy heckled at Manchester synagogue vigil

The plan proposes an immediate end to fighting and the release within 72 hours of the 20 living hostages held by Hamas - as well as the remains of hostages thought to be dead - in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans.

In a statement, Hamas said it also "renews its agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats), based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support."

'Opportunity to end fighting'

In a statement, the Prime Minister said: "Hamas' acceptance of the US peace plan is a significant step forwards.

"We strongly support President Trump's efforts, which have brought us closer to peace than ever before.

"There is now an opportunity to end the fighting, for the hostages to return home, and for humanitarian aid to reach those who so desperately need it.

"We call on all sides to implement the agreement without delay."

He said the UK was ready to support further negotiations and work "towards sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike".

There was no immediate response from Israel. The Hamas response did not go as far as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's demands that the group surrender and disarm.

Mr Trump has struggled to force an end to the conflict, which began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 2023. His latest post on social media is another attempt to increase pressure on Hamas.

Under Mr Trump’s plan, the so-called Board of Peace will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until the Palestinian Authority has undergone sufficient reform that it can take over.

Sir Tony Blair welcomed the plan as "the best chance of ending two years of war, misery and suffering".

Under Mr Trump’s plan, the so-called Board of Peace will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until the Palestinian Authority has undergone sufficient reform that it can take over.

Sir Tony, who took the UK into the Iraq War in 2003, served as Middle East envoy for the quartet of international powers – the US, the EU, Russia and the UN – after leaving office.