President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social account on Friday evening to demand Israel stand down from its bombing campaign in Gaza, to allow the newly-released hostages safe passage home.
He accompanied this with a statement from the terrorist organization Hamas, which, after years of intransigence and failed talks, tentatively moved forward with Trump's proposed peace terms and signaled its intent to free all hostages still held in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.
"Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE," Trump wrote. "Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out."
"This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East," Trump added.
As Trump first took office, he pledged full support to Israel's position in the Gaza occupation and even toyed with the idea of the United States redeveloping the Gaza Strip as a tourist destination.
Trump's "20-point" peace plan for resolving the war, released days previously, met initial skepticism for not having included Hamas in negotiations in the first place.
Earlier in the day, Trump ramped up the pressure on Hamas with a threat that they will face "annihilation" if they don't agree to the terms shortly.