GAZA- The Palestinian group Hamas has announced that it is ready to release all Israeli hostages and begin talks, through mediators, to finalize the details of the exchange. The group also expressed willingness to transfer control of Gaza to an independent Palestinian body.
Hamas said on Friday that the decision followed a “thorough study” of the 20-point peace plan presented by US President Donald Trump earlier this week. The plan includes an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a hostages-for-prisoners swap, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the establishment of a temporary international administration.
In a statement, Hamas confirmed its agreement to release both living and deceased Israeli captives “according to the exchange formula” set out in Trump’s proposal. It added that it is prepared to enter immediate negotiations, through mediators, to work out the implementation.
The group also stated it is ready to hand over Gaza’s administration to “a Palestinian body of independents,” describing it as a technocratic authority formed through Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic states.
Hamas, however, did not clearly accept or reject other elements of the plan, such as its complete disarmament. It said those “other issues” should be addressed within a broader Palestinian national framework, in which Hamas would also take part.
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