Hamas has agreed to release all Israeli hostages held in Gaza. They will also surrender governing power in the territory.
This is part of a peace initiative brokered by US President Donald Trump. It marks a significant development in efforts to end the nearly two-year war.
The Palestinian militant group announced on Friday evening that it had accepted key elements of Trump’s ultimatum. These elements include a comprehensive prisoner exchange. They also include the transfer of administrative authority in Gaza to a new Palestinian-led technocratic body.
In a statement, Hamas said it was giving its “approval of releasing all occupation prisoners – both living and remains – according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.”
The group added that it was prepared to hand over the governance of the Gaza Strip. They planned to transfer control to “a Palestinian body of independent technocrats.” This body would be based on Palestinian national consensus. It would also be supported by Arab and Islamic backing.
Hamas, however, indicated that “other issues” in Trump’s proposal required further negotiations “within a unified Palestinian national framework”.
These issues include disarmament. They also cover the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Additionally, international guarantees for a permanent ceasefire are part of these issues.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio made his rounds on various Sunday (Oct. 5, 2025) news programs regarding the release of hostages from October 7, 2024.
• The agreed roadmap shows that Hamas is to release the 20 Israeli hostages. The United States believes these hostages remain alive.
• The remains of the 28 other people who were killed are also due to be handed over.
• In exchange, the Israelis will release approximately hundreds of convicted Palestinian terrorists. They will then gradually phase out of Gaza.
“It seems like a bitter pill for the Israelis to swallow,” Fox News commented to Rubio.
SECRETARY RUBIO: “Yeah, it most certainly – I mean, look, this is not unprecedented, unfortunately. We have seen, in the past, hundreds of Palestinian terrorists be released in exchange for one Israeli soldier.”
“…But the Israelis are very committed. All the people of Israel and their government are very committed to getting these hostages back to their families. As unfair and as unjust and as unbalanced as a deal like that may be, that’s how important life is to them.”
“And it’s not just phasing out – they would drop back to what’s called the yellow line, which is basically where Israel stood inside of Gaza in the middle of August.”
“And then at that point, the work would begin about building out who’s going to govern Gaza moving forward, and that’s where the international partners are going to be so critical – not just with personnel but with money and resources – to create a governance structure led by non-Hamas, non-terrorist Palestinians.”
“But that’s going to take some time, not just to set up but to build and to stabilize, and there’s a lot of work that needs to happen.”
“…Gaza has been – as you know, a lot of damage been done there. That whole place has to be rebuilt. That’s not going to happen in 72 hours or six weeks. I mean, that’s going to take some time. And who’s going to be in charge of it afterwards is going to take some time to create as well.”
“… This is the most progress we have seen with regards to ending this conflict and getting these hostages released in a very long time, and it all happened because President Trump put that on the table and built this international coalition, including Arab and Islamic countries. Without him putting that together, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation right now.”
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Clever Journeys 
This is so wise. Give them a chance to do the honorable thing, and then, because they won’t, it’ll be enough rope to hang them with. In this whole thing, I’m learning that one fell swoop is not always the best way, agonizing as this process is. Too much hangs on this; as DJT says, he’s trying to prevent WWIII. Just praying, and asking that he’ll learn to hear God’s voice for directions. That’s hard for most of us to learn; imagine being a man used to calling the shots and getting what he wants learning that still, small voice.
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I, too, pray that Jesus Christ enters into DJT’s heart (if He has not already) so that he can hear our Lord and Savior’s voice. do His will, and give Him glory for his achievements. 🙂
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Amen! 💟🙏💙🇺🇸
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💚🙏💙
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