Trump Urges Israel to Halt Bombing, Claims Hamas Open to Peace
UPDATE: In a striking move, US President Donald Trump has called for an immediate halt to Israel’s bombing of Gaza, claiming that Hamas is ready for “lasting peace.” This urgent statement comes after Hamas expressed willingness to release hostages under Trump’s ceasefire plan.
Trump’s announcement on November 3, 2023, marks a significant moment since he reclaimed power in January, as it is the first time he has publicly urged Israel to cease its military operations. He posted on Truth Social, demanding, “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!”
The context is critical: Trump’s plea follows a devastating attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, which has escalated into a full-scale conflict. Trump emphasized that the current situation is too perilous for negotiations, stating, “Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out.”
In a rare move for a US president, Trump also shared Hamas’s statement on his social media platform, a gesture echoed by the White House. From the Oval Office, Trump declared, “This is a very special day, maybe unprecedented,” while expressing gratitude to US allies such as Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Jordan for their mediation efforts.
Trump has been adamant about prioritizing the release of hostages taken during the October 7 assault. He criticized the previous administration led by Joe Biden for the ongoing conflict and insisted that “everybody will be treated fairly” in negotiations, although he provided no specific details about the peace plan.
While Trump’s remarks have garnered attention, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly expressed surprise at Trump’s call for a ceasefire. According to a report from Axios, Israel views Hamas’s statement as insufficiently addressing key components of Trump’s peace framework. Netanyahu previously stood alongside Trump during the unveiling of a 20-point peace plan just days ago.
Hamas responded positively to Trump’s urging of Israel but criticized the peace plan as “vague, ambiguous and lacks clarity,” according to senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi.
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely for Israel’s response to Trump’s unprecedented appeal. The urgency of the moment is palpable, with the potential for significant shifts in the Middle East peace landscape.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds. This could be a pivotal turning point in the ongoing conflict and peace process.
