In a significant shift, US President Donald Trump has called on Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza,” stating he believes Hamas is ready for a “lasting peace.”
The statement, posted on his Truth Social platform, marks the first time Trump has explicitly told key ally Israel to halt its military campaign. He stated the cessation of bombing is necessary to safely and quickly free the hostages held by Hamas.
Trump shared a Hamas declaration on his social media and posted a video from the Oval Office, calling it a “very special day, maybe unprecedented.” He thanked mediating countries like Qatar and Egypt for their efforts.
The announcement appears to have surprised the Israeli government. Reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu views Hamas’s statement as insufficient and not fully aligned with the US peace plan. A senior Hamas official also called Trump’s plan “vague and ambiguous,” despite finding his call to stop bombing “encouraging.”
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