Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised Hamas for responding to President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal on Saturday, but Israeli airstrikes continued across Gaza despite the diplomatic progress. Erdogan described the Hamas response as a fundamental step toward lasting peace and urged immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Turkey has worked with Egypt and Qatar to advise Hamas on the American peace initiative.
Trump welcomed the Hamas statement on Truth Social and called on Israel to halt bombing operations to allow safe hostage releases. The former president thanked Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan for their roles in the breakthrough. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially dismissed the Hamas reply as insufficient, but his office later said Israel was preparing for the first phase of hostage releases.
Israeli warplanes struck multiple Gaza neighborhoods overnight on Friday and into Saturday morning despite the diplomatic developments. Dozens of civilians were killed and injured in the renewed attacks, according to local sources. Residents had gathered in the streets to celebrate what they believed was approaching peace before the airstrikes resumed.
Hamas agreed to release all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and expressed willingness to transfer Gaza's civil administration to an independent technocratic authority. Trump's 20-point proposal includes hostage releases and the return of deceased captives. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives over nearly two years.
Trump welcomed the Hamas statement on Truth Social and called on Israel to halt bombing operations to allow safe hostage releases. The former president thanked Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan for their roles in the breakthrough. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially dismissed the Hamas reply as insufficient, but his office later said Israel was preparing for the first phase of hostage releases.
Israeli warplanes struck multiple Gaza neighborhoods overnight on Friday and into Saturday morning despite the diplomatic developments. Dozens of civilians were killed and injured in the renewed attacks, according to local sources. Residents had gathered in the streets to celebrate what they believed was approaching peace before the airstrikes resumed.
Hamas agreed to release all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and expressed willingness to transfer Gaza's civil administration to an independent technocratic authority. Trump's 20-point proposal includes hostage releases and the return of deceased captives. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives over nearly two years.
