Hamas response to Gaza plan creates window for ceasefire: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday welcomed recent developments toward a potential ceasefire in Gaza, saying a statement issued by Hamas has opened a crucial opportunity for peace.

“Alhamdolillah, we are closer to a ceasefire than we have been since this genocide was launched on the Palestinian people. Pakistan has always stood by the Palestinian people and shall always do so,” the prime minister wrote on social media platform X. He urged that the window for peace must not be allowed to close again.

The prime minister expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for his mediation efforts, as well as to the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia. These leaders reportedly met with President Trump on the sidelines of the recent United Nations General Assembly session to discuss a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause and affirmed the country’s willingness to continue working with international partners and “brotherly nations” to achieve lasting peace in the region.

The statement came shortly after a major breakthrough in the ongoing conflict, as Hamas reportedly accepted key terms of a U.S.-proposed peace plan aimed at halting violence in Gaza. President Trump, who authored the 20-point plan, called on Israel to immediately cease its bombing campaign following Hamas’ agreement to release hostages and engage in negotiations.

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated, “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly. This is not just about Gaza; this is about long-awaited peace in the Middle East.” He also warned Hamas of “severe consequences” if it failed to comply with the proposal by the set Sunday deadline.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel was prepared to begin implementing the first phase of Trump’s plan, which prioritizes the safe release of Israeli hostages. Following this, Israeli media reported that the country’s leadership had instructed its military to reduce offensive operations in Gaza.

According to Israeli reports, the conflict was triggered by a Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages. Currently, 48 hostages remain in Hamas custody, with 20 confirmed to be alive.

The Israeli military’s retaliatory operations have led to devastating humanitarian consequences in Gaza. Health officials in the region report that more than 66,000 people have been killed, most of them civilians.

As international momentum builds around President Trump’s peace initiative, leaders across the region are watching closely in hopes that the latest developments may finally bring an end to the deadly conflict.