London, UK – October 4, 2025

A Pivotal Hostage Confirmation

Hamas Confirms Readiness to Release All Remaining Israeli Captives in Exchange for Palestinian Prisoners, Signalling a Breakthrough on Humanitarian Front

In a potentially transformative moment for the war in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian militant group Hamas has delivered a pivotal hostage confirmation, announcing its readiness to release all remaining Israeli captives—a declaration that offers the greatest glimmer of hope yet for the families of the hostages. The confirmation, made public in the group’s official response to the US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, explicitly ties the immediate freedom of the captives to the corresponding exchange for Palestinian prisoners, adhering to the formula outlined in the American proposal. While the move is a massive step forward on the critical humanitarian issue, it is a highly conditional acceptance that now sets the stage for immediate, high-stakes negotiations over the other contentious elements of the plan, including the future governance and disarmament of Gaza.

The announcement was made public late Friday, hours before the deadline set by President Trump. The core of the Hamas statement focused on the immediate, tangible action that has captivated global attention: the return of the hostages. The group explicitly stated its “approval of releasing all occupation prisoners—both living and remains—according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal.” This formula, agreed upon by Israel prior to Hamas’s response, mandates a rapid, comprehensive exchange.

The Trump plan requires Hamas to release the remaining approximately 48 hostages—of whom only around 20 are believed to be alive—within 72 hours of a ceasefire coming into effect. In return, Israel is required to release a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners, including an estimated 1,700 detainees arrested since the October 7, 2023, attack, as well as 250 prisoners serving life sentences. For the families of the hostages, many of whom have endured nearly two years of anguish, this official confirmation from Hamas offers a vital lifeline, signaling that the primary condition for an immediate cessation of hostilities—the return of their loved ones—is achievable.

However, the path to the handover is not yet clear, as the Hamas statement contained a critical clause: the exchange is “provided the field conditions for the exchange are met.” This phrase, according to analysts, implies that Hamas will demand detailed assurances regarding the immediate suspension of all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, and the frozen battle lines, as stipulated in the US proposal. It is a safeguard against the risk of military action during the sensitive, logistically complex process of transferring captives spread across the territory.

Crucially, the willingness to agree to the hostage exchange is seen as a tactical concession driven by immense international pressure. Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—the key mediators—had been relentlessly pushing the militant group to offer a positive response to the US plan, particularly given the unanimous backing the deal received from Israel and the broader Arab world. The severe humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, exacerbated by prolonged conflict, also places enormous pressure on Hamas to secure the immediate, massive influx of humanitarian aid promised under the deal.

Beyond the exchange, the overall acceptance remains deeply conditional, threatening to derail the broader peace prospects. The group has called for immediate negotiations with mediators to “discuss the details” of the plan, particularly regarding the post-war future of Gaza. Hamas’s statement rejected the notion of external, international governance, agreeing instead to hand over the administration of Gaza to a purely “Palestinian body of independent technocrats” rooted in “national consensus.” This position directly conflicts with the Trump plan’s proposal for an international “Board of Peace,” headed by the former US President, and including figures like former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Moreover, the entire 20-point plan rests on the complete disarmament of Hamas, a condition the group has entirely omitted from its confirmation statement. Disarmament is non-negotiable for Israel, and Hamas’s silence, coupled with its historical insistence on maintaining its armed resistance, indicates that this will be the most significant—and potentially insoluble—hurdle in the upcoming mediated talks.

Despite these significant reservations, the pivotal hostage confirmation marks a new, critical phase. The diplomatic focus now shifts from forcing Hamas to respond to brokering the minute details of the exchange and the profound differences on the long-term political arrangements for Gaza. The world waits on tenterhooks, hoping that the immediate humanitarian breakthrough of the hostage release can somehow provide the necessary momentum to force a resolution to the deeper, deadlocked political issues.

Headline Points

 * Full Hostage Release Confirmed:

Hamas has officially confirmed its readiness to release all remaining Israeli captives—both alive and deceased—as part of its response to the Trump Peace Plan.

 * Prisoner Exchange Agreement:

The release is expressly contingent on Israel fulfilling the plan’s formula for exchanging them for a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

 * 72-Hour Timeline:

The Trump plan calls for the complete release of all remaining hostages within 72 hours of a ceasefire being enacted.

 * Conditions on “Field Conditions”:

Hamas’s confirmation requires that “field conditions” for the exchange are met, implying demands for guaranteed suspension of military operations during the handover.

 * Call for Further Negotiations:

The militant group insisted on immediate, mediated negotiations to discuss key details, particularly concerning Gaza’s post-war governance.

 * Disagreement on Governance:

Hamas rejected the international administration proposed by the US, favoring a purely Palestinian technocratic body based on national consensus.

 * International Pressure:

The confirmation follows intense diplomatic pressure from key regional mediators, including Egypt and Qatar.