Islamabad, October 4, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday hailed Hamas’s response to the U.S.-brokered Gaza peace plan, saying it offered a rare opening for a ceasefire after nearly two years of war. He urged the international community to act swiftly to turn diplomatic progress into relief for the people of Gaza.
In a post on X, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in Palestine. “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,” he wrote.
Sharif also expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, and Indonesia, for their mediation efforts during the United Nations General Assembly sidelines. He added: “The statement issued by Hamas creates a window for a ceasefire and ensuring peace that we must not allow to close again.”
The Foreign Office (FO) separately welcomed Hamas’s response, calling it “an important opportunity to secure an immediate ceasefire, end the bloodshed of innocent Palestinians in Gaza, release hostages and Palestinian prisoners, ensure unhindered humanitarian assistance, and pave the way for a credible political process toward lasting peace. Israel must immediately cease attacks.”
Hamas announced Friday that it had accepted parts of Trump’s 20-point proposal, including the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad also backed the move, saying it reflected the consensus of resistance factions. The development could pave the way for the release of captives held by both groups.
Israel, meanwhile, said it was preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the first stage of Trump’s plan, focused on hostage releases. However, strikes continued across the enclave despite Trump’s call for a halt to bombing.
Local health authorities reported at least seven Palestinians killed on Saturday, including four in Gaza City and two in Khan Younis. Since October 2023, Israel’s campaign has killed at least 66,288 people and wounded over 169,000, with thousands more believed buried under rubble.
The conflict began with Hamas’s October 7 attacks that killed 1,139 people in Israel and saw around 200 taken hostage. While Trump’s proposal has raised hopes among Palestinians, many remain wary as Israeli bombardments persist despite international appeals.
