Qatar has welcomed Hamas’ conditional acceptance of Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan, calling it a positive step towards ending Israel’s war on Gaza and securing a framework for captive and prisoner exchanges.

Qatar has welcomed Hamas’ agreement to U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire proposal, hailing it as a positive step towards ending Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

The Palestinian group announced on Friday that it had accepted several elements of the 20-point plan, with further negotiations required on certain points.

The proposal includes a conditional ceasefire that would go into effect immediately upon acceptance by all parties.

“Qatar welcomes the announcement by Hamas of its agreement to President Trump’s plan, and its readiness to release all hostages as part of the exchange framework outlined in the plan,” Majed Al-Ansari, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said on X.

The development came hours after Trump issued an ultimatum demanding that the Palestinian group accept the latest plan by Sunday.

“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” Trump threatened on Truth Social.

However, following Hamas’ statement on Friday, Trump called on Israel to immediately stop bombing Gaza to secure a pathway to release the hostages.

“We are already in discussions on details to be worked out,” Trump wrote in a separate post. “This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”

The ceasefire negotiation had stalled following Israel’s attack on Doha on September 9, which killed five Hamas members plus a Qatari security officer, and drew widespread condemnation.

However, momentum started picking up as Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, which saw the latter formally apologise to Qatar for the unprecedented attack.

The U.S. President then pushed for his latest plan, which outlines a phased Israeli military withdrawal from parts of Gaza in exchange for the release of Israeli captives, followed by the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, among other requirements.

Al-Ansari, who also serves as the Qatari Prime Minister’s advisor, had said during his weekly briefing that Hamas had been presented with the proposal and was studying it.

He had re-affirmed, however, that Qatar’s commitment to host talks and mediate was contingent upon security guarantees.

“The basis on which Qatar relies is the guarantees provided that the Israeli attack will not be repeated,” Al-Ansari noted, referring to Israel’s attack in Doha.

Following Friday’s development, Egypt, which has served as a mediator alongside Qatar and the U.S. in the aftermath of October 7, 2023, also welcomed the response in a statement.

“The statement reflects a genuine keenness by Hamas and all Palestinian factions to spare the blood of the Palestinian people, protect innocent civilian lives, and a firm desire to end a dark chapter in the region’s history,” Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The conditionally accepted plan requires Hamas to disarm and relinquish its role in governing Gaza, while a transitional governing body would be established under U.S. supervision, led by a “Board of Peace” in which President Trump would play a direct role.

Hamas said that any clause related to the future of Gaza and the rights of the Palestinian people would require adherence to “comprehensive national position” as well as international law.

“These matters shall be discussed within a unified Palestinian national framework, in which Hamas will participate and contribute with full responsibility,” it said in the statement announcing the agreement to Trump’s plan.

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, following Hamas’ surprise and unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023, has killed at least 66,288 people. The figure, which includes children and women, is still considered to be an undercount, with thousands still trapped under the rubble.

Similarly, Israel’s choking blockade since March 2025 has seen the besieged enclave succumb to a famine as at least 440, including 147 children, have died due to starvation.