President Donald Trump on Friday called on Israel to immediately cease bombing operations in Gaza after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept key terms of a US peace plan, though critical issues including disarmament remain unresolved.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office responded by stating that Israel was preparing for “immediate implementation” of the first stage of Trump’s Gaza plan following Hamas’s response. Israeli media subsequently reported that the country’s political leadership had instructed the military to reduce offensive operations in the territory.

The development came after Hamas, the Palestinian militant group controlling Gaza, responded to Trump’s 20-point peace proposal before the US president’s Sunday deadline, which had warned of grave consequences for rejection.

Trump, who has positioned himself as uniquely capable of achieving peace in Gaza, declared he believed Hamas had demonstrated it was “ready for a lasting PEACE” and placed responsibility on Netanyahu’s government to act.

Continued military activity despite calls for halt

Despite Trump’s directive, residents reported that Israeli tanks bombarded Talateeni Street, a major thoroughfare in Gaza City, shortly after the president’s message. Witnesses said Israeli military aircraft also intensified bombing operations in Gaza City within an hour of Hamas’s statement, striking several houses in the Remal neighbourhood.

Additional strikes were reported in Khan Younis, though no immediate casualties were confirmed. The Israeli military chief of staff instructed forces to advance readiness for implementing the first phase of Trump’s plan, without explicitly mentioning any reduction in military activity.

Netanyahu faces domestic pressure

Before Israel’s latest announcements, families of hostages held in Gaza urged Netanyahu “to immediately order negotiations for the return of all hostages.”

The prime minister finds himself caught between mounting pressure to end the conflict — from hostage families and a war-weary public — and demands from hardline members of his far-right coalition who insist Israel’s campaign in Gaza must continue without compromise.

Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed more than 66,000 people in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. The assault has devastated much of the territory, while aid restrictions have triggered famine conditions in parts of Gaza, with dire humanitarian circumstances across the entire enclave.

A UN Commission of Inquiry and multiple human rights experts have concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Netanyahu’s government maintains it has acted in self-defence.

Hamas response leaves key issues unresolved

In its response, Hamas stated it “appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of US President Donald Trump, calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, (and) the immediate entry of aid,” among other terms.

The group announced 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.”

However, Hamas did not explicitly address whether it would agree to disarm and demilitarise Gaza — a key demand from both Israel and the United States that Hamas has previously rejected. The group also did not agree to a staged Israeli withdrawal, continuing to demand immediate and full withdrawal instead.

Governance and future political role

Hamas indicated it was prepared “to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing.”

The group did not clarify whether it would accept Trump’s proposal that it be barred from exercising political power in Gaza. However, Hamas stated it should be “included and will contribute” to any Palestinian national discussion regarding Gaza’s future.

A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group would not disarm before Israel’s occupation of the enclave ends — comments that underscore the significant gap between the parties’ positions.

Regional mediation efforts continue

Qatar has initiated coordination with fellow mediator Egypt and the United States to continue negotiations on Trump’s Gaza plan, according to the Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson.

Netanyahu’s office stated that 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.”

Trump has invested considerable political capital in efforts to end the two-year conflict that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and left US ally Israel increasingly isolated internationally.

While Hamas has previously offered to release all hostages and transfer administration of Gaza to a different governing body, the critical issues of disarmament, staged versus immediate withdrawal, and Hamas’s future political role remain contentious points requiring further negotiation.