Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Hamas’s response to Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan, calling it a positive step toward ending the war in Gaza and achieving lasting peace. In a statement on X, the premier said the development opened “a window for a ceasefire” and urged the international community to act decisively to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine, Shehbaz said diplomatic progress must now translate into “relief for the people of Gaza.” The statement came after Hamas announced that it had accepted parts of the US president’s proposal aimed at halting the nearly two-year conflict and ensuring the release of remaining hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks.
The prime minister expressed gratitude to President Trump and the leaderships of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, and Indonesia for their collective diplomatic efforts during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings.
“Alhamdolillah, we are closer to a ceasefire than we have been since this genocide began against the Palestinian people,” Shehbaz Sharif said. “Pakistan has always stood by the Palestinian cause and will continue to do so.”
He added that Hamas’s response to Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan had created a critical opportunity for peace that “must not be allowed to close again,” pledging that Pakistan would continue working with all Muslim nations to secure permanent stability in the region.
Separately, the Foreign Office (FO) also welcomed Hamas’s announcement, calling it “an important opportunity to secure an immediate ceasefire, end the bloodshed of innocent Palestinians, release hostages and prisoners, and pave the way for a credible political process.”
The FO emphasized that “Israel must immediately cease attacks” and reaffirmed that Pakistan would “continue to contribute constructively and meaningfully to this process.”
Hamas’s position was similarly praised by other Palestinian resistance groups, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which stated that Hamas’s decision reflected “the united stance of Palestinian factions.” The move could potentially accelerate negotiations for the release of hostages held in Gaza by both groups.
Meanwhile, Israel announced it was preparing for “immediate implementation” of the first stage of the Trump-led Gaza plan, focusing on the release of Israeli hostages. However, reports from Gaza indicated continued Israeli airstrikes, which killed at least seven Palestinians — including four in Gaza City and two in Khan Younis.
Since the beginning of the war in October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed at least 66,288 Palestinians and wounded over 169,000, with thousands still trapped under the rubble. In comparison, 1,139 Israelis were killed in the October 7 attacks, and roughly 200 were taken captive.
