U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Israel to immediately stop bombing the Gaza Strip, urging an end to airstrikes in order to secure the safe release of hostages.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote: “ We are already in talks to determine the details. This is not just about Gaza — this is about achieving long-awaited PEACE in the Middle East.”
Trump’s remarks came shortly after Hamas issued a response to his proposed peace plan, signaling partial acceptance. Earlier on Friday, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X (formerly Twitter) that the president was preparing a video address from the Oval Office, following Hamas’s reaction.
Leavitt’s post notably used the word “acceptance” in reference to Hamas’s stance, suggesting the militant group had accepted the outline of Trump’s proposal.
Meanwhile, the Hamas response — translated into English — was reportedly posted by Trump himself on Truth Social, apparently as a reference point for his upcoming video message.
The president has yet to release the full statement, but his call marks a significant shift in tone, as he links an immediate halt to Israeli strikes with efforts to secure both peace and the release of hostages.
