In a significant development in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, United States President Donald Trump has publicly called on Israel to cease its bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip, following Hamas’s expressed willingness to release hostages under a U.S.-brokered peace proposal. The announcement, made on October 4, 2025, comes amid intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza, with residents reporting heavy tank shelling and airstrikes in key areas of the enclave, underscoring the complexity of achieving a lasting ceasefire.
According to Reuters, residents of Gaza City reported that Israeli tanks shelled Talateeni Street, a major thoroughfare in the city’s center, shortly after Trump’s statement. Witnesses also described escalated air raids targeting the Remal neighborhood, with additional strikes hitting Khan Younis in southern Gaza. While no immediate casualty figures were reported from these specific attacks, the persistent violence highlights the challenges of aligning diplomatic efforts with on-the-ground realities.
President Trump, who has consistently positioned himself as a pivotal figure in resolving the protracted conflict, emphasized the urgency of halting hostilities to facilitate the safe release of hostages. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared, “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” He further noted that negotiations were underway to iron out the details of the proposed plan, framing the initiative as a step toward not only resolving the Gaza crisis but also fostering broader peace in the Middle East. “This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East,” Trump added, signaling his administration’s ambition to achieve a historic breakthrough.
In response, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement affirming Israel’s readiness to implement the first phase of Trump’s peace plan. The statement emphasized that Israel would work in “full cooperation” with Trump and his team to end the war, while adhering to principles aligned with Israel’s national interests and Trump’s vision. Israeli media outlets reported that political leaders had instructed the military to scale back operations, though the Israeli army’s chief of staff provided a more cautious statement, noting only that forces were preparing for the plan’s implementation. This discrepancy suggests potential internal divisions or logistical challenges within Israel’s leadership as it navigates the delicate balance between military objectives and diplomatic commitments.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group controlling Gaza, responded positively to Trump’s initiative, according to a written statement obtained by Reuters. The group expressed appreciation for “Arab, Islamic, and international efforts” as well as Trump’s call to end the war, exchange prisoners, and allow immediate humanitarian aid into Gaza. Hamas confirmed its approval of a hostage release deal based on the “exchange formula” outlined in Trump’s proposal, provided that necessary field conditions are met. The group also signaled its willingness to enter negotiations through mediators to finalize the details of the agreement.
Notably, Hamas proposed handing over Gaza’s administration to a body of independent Palestinian technocrats, selected through national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic states. However, the group stopped short of committing to disarmament or agreeing to a phased Israeli withdrawal, key components of Trump’s plan. A senior Hamas official, speaking to Al Jazeera, clarified that disarmament would not occur until Israel fully ends its occupation, highlighting a significant point of contention that could complicate negotiations.
The conflict, now in its second year, traces its immediate origins to the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas-led militants, which killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 individuals taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities. Of the hostages, Israel estimates that 48 remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. The war has exacted a devastating toll on Gaza, with local health authorities reporting over 66,000 deaths, predominantly civilians, and widespread famine conditions due to stringent aid restrictions imposed by Israel. The humanitarian crisis has drawn international condemnation, with a United Nations Commission of Inquiry and human rights experts accusing Israel of committing genocide—a charge that Netanyahu’s government vehemently denies, asserting that its actions are in self-defense.
Trump’s peace plan, as outlined, includes several critical elements: a ceasefire, the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, a staged withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of a transitional administration under international oversight. The proposal seeks to address both immediate humanitarian concerns and long-term governance issues in Gaza, though its success hinges on bridging the gap between Hamas’s conditions and Israel’s security demands.
Qatar, a key mediator in the conflict, announced that it has begun coordinating with Egypt and the United States to sustain mediation efforts. This diplomatic push underscores the international community’s recognition of the need for a coordinated approach to de-escalate the crisis. However, the absence of a clear commitment from Hamas on disarmament and the ongoing Israeli military operations raise questions about the feasibility of implementing Trump’s plan in the near term.
The broader context of the Israel-Hamas conflict is rooted in decades of territorial disputes, political grievances, and cycles of violence. Gaza, a densely populated enclave of over two million people, has been under a blockade by Israel and Egypt since Hamas took control in 2007, severely limiting access to goods, services, and opportunities. The blockade, combined with repeated military confrontations, has left Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins and its population grappling with poverty and despair. For Israel, the security threat posed by Hamas’s rocket attacks and cross-border incursions remains a central concern, driving its hardline policies.
Trump’s intervention marks a bold attempt to leverage U.S. influence to break the deadlock, but it faces significant hurdles. The mistrust between Israel and Hamas, compounded by their divergent priorities, poses a formidable challenge. Israel’s insistence on maintaining security control and Hamas’s demand for an end to the occupation reflect deeply entrenched positions that have thwarted previous peace efforts. Moreover, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands urgent attention, with aid agencies warning of catastrophic consequences if restrictions on food, medical supplies, and fuel are not lifted promptly.
The international community’s response to Trump’s initiative will likely play a critical role in its outcome. Arab and Islamic states, which Hamas has called upon for support, could provide political and financial backing for a transitional administration in Gaza. However, their willingness to engage may depend on assurances of stability and progress toward a broader resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As negotiations proceed, the situation on the ground remains volatile. The reported scaling back of Israeli military operations, if confirmed, could create space for dialogue, but the continuation of strikes in key areas of Gaza suggests that a full ceasefire is not yet in sight. For the people of Gaza, caught between the devastation of war and the hope of a diplomatic breakthrough, the coming days will be critical in determining whether Trump’s plan can deliver the promised peace.
In conclusion, President Trump’s call for Israel to halt its bombing of Gaza, coupled with Hamas’s conditional agreement to release hostages, represents a potential turning point in the conflict. However, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges, including unresolved issues of disarmament, withdrawal, and governance. As mediators work to translate Trump’s vision into actionable steps, the international community watches closely, aware that the stakes—for Gaza, Israel, and the broader Middle East—are extraordinarily high.
