US President Donald Trump has said Israel “must immediately stop bombing Gaza” and that Hamas is ready for peace.<\/p>\n
It comes after Hamas agreed to accept key elements of the ceasefire proposal put forward by Mr Trump.<\/p>\n
The group said it would agree to some aspects of his plan to end the Gaza war, including releasing hostages and handing over administration of the Palestinian territory.<\/p>\n
However, it also said it would seek negotiations over many of its other terms.<\/p>\n
President Trump had issued an deadline to Hamas of tomorrow to accept his Gaza peace deal or face “all hell”.<\/p>\n
Hamas did not say whether it would agree to a stipulation that it disarm, a demand by Israel and the US that it has previously rejected.<\/p>\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel “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.”<\/p>\n
Residents in Gaza City said Israeli tanks bombarded Talateeni Street, a major artery in the heart of the city, after Mr Trump’s message to Israel to stop.<\/p>\n
Witnesses said Israeli military planes also intensified bombing in Gaza City in the hour after Hamas issued its statement, hitting several houses in the Remal neighbourhood.<\/p>\n
There were strikes on Khan Younis but no reports of casualties, residents said.<\/p>\n
Latest Middle East stories<\/a><\/p>\n A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group would not disarm before Israel’s occupation of Gaza ends, comments that underscored the gap between the parties.<\/p>\n Qatar has begun coordination with mediator Egypt and the United States to continue talks on Mr Trump’s Gaza plan, the Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said on X.<\/p>\n Mr Trump’s plan specifies an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of all hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional government led by an international body.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin said the announcement by Hamas that it will release all remaining hostages, living and dead, will come as very welcome news to their families.<\/p>\n In a post on X, Mr Martin said that he hoped the move will open the way for an immediate ceasefire and the surging of aid into Gaza.<\/p>\n “There is an opportunity to now to create the lasting peace and I urge all parties to take it,” he said.<\/p>\n The announcement by Hamas that it will release all remaining hostages, living and dead, will come as very welcome news to their families who have waited almost two years for their return.<\/p>\n I hope it will open the way for an immediate ceasefire and the surging of aid into Gaza. pic.twitter.com\/Ls1KooASzo<\/a><\/p>\n