Trump Demands Israel Halt Gaza Airstrikes Immediately

President Donald Trump said Friday night that Hamas appears ready for peace and called on Israel to immediately stop bombing Gaza. This comes after Hamas announced it's willing to release all hostages under Trump's ceasefire plan for the Palestinian territory.

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that based on Hamas's statement, he believes "they are ready for a lasting peace." He then directed his message at Israel: "Israel must stop bombing Gaza immediately so we can get the hostages out safely and quickly! It is very dangerous to do so at this time."

The president said talks are already underway to work out the details of his Gaza plan. "We are already discussing details that must be agreed upon. This is not just about Gaza but about the long-awaited peace in the Middle East," Trump wrote.

Earlier Friday, Hamas delivered its response to mediators regarding Trump's proposal. The group said it agrees to hand over Israeli prisoners and transfer control of Gaza to an independent Palestinian authority.

Trump's public pressure on Israel marks a notable shift in tone from typical U.S. diplomatic messaging. His call for an immediate halt to Israeli operations puts him at odds with Israel's current military strategy, even as both sides appear closer to a deal than they've been in months.

The timing matters for Trump's broader Middle East ambitions. A successful hostage release and ceasefire in Gaza could set the stage for the regional peace agreements he's hoping to broker during his presidency. But the details still need to be hammered out, and previous ceasefire attempts have collapsed over disagreements about implementation.