Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed optimism that a long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza is within reach, thanking US President Donald Trump and key Muslim nations for their mediation efforts.
Taking to his official X account (formerly Twitter), the prime minister said Pakistan has “always stood with the Palestinian people” and will continue to do so, describing the latest developments as a hopeful step toward lasting peace.
“Alhamdolillah, we are closer to a ceasefire than we have been since this genocide was launched on the Palestinian people,” Shehbaz wrote, expressing gratitude to President Trump and the leaderships of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkiye, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia for engaging in talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA80).
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He added that Hamas’ latest statement “creates a window for a ceasefire and ensuring peace that we must not allow to close again,” pledging that Pakistan will “continue to work with all its partners and brotherly nations” for enduring peace in Palestine.
Trump says Hamas ‘ready for lasting peace’
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump announced that Hamas was “ready for a lasting peace” and called on Israel to immediately halt its bombing campaign in Gaza. His remarks followed Hamas’ formal response to his 20-point plan to end the war, which the group partly accepted while leaving key issues unresolved.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! … This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East.”
A video message later released by the White House featured Trump calling it a “historic day,” thanking countries that supported the peace initiative, and emphasizing the humanitarian urgency of ending a war that has killed tens of thousands since October 2023.
Pakistan welcomes Hamas response to Trump’s peace plan
In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Hamas’s openness to dialogue presents an “important opportunity for a ceasefire and end to bloodshed,” emphasizing the need for all parties to seize the moment to ensure lasting peace.
“Israel should immediately stop attacks on Gaza,” the spokesperson stated, calling for the “uninterrupted provision of humanitarian aid” to millions of Palestinians affected by the conflict.
Pakistan appreciates U.S. peace efforts
The Foreign Office also acknowledged President Trump’s mediation efforts, describing them as a “welcome contribution” toward achieving regional stability.
“Pakistan appreciates U.S. President Trump’s peace efforts and hopes that peace measures will prove to be lasting and comprehensive,” the spokesperson said, adding that Pakistan remains ready to support all initiatives leading to sustainable peace in the Middle East.
Call for release of hostages and prisoners
Reiterating Islamabad’s humanitarian concerns, the spokesperson said the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners was “inevitable” for any peace process to succeed.
Israel begins steps toward Trump’s peace plan
According to Israeli media, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the government was preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the plan’s first stage, focused on the release of Israeli hostages.
Military sources confirmed that while some offensive operations were being scaled down, bombing and shelling continued in parts of Gaza City and Khan Younis.
Witnesses reported new airstrikes in Talateeni Street and Remal neighborhood, even as diplomatic efforts gained traction.
Inside Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan
Trump’s proposal outlines a multi-stage framework to end hostilities and establish governance under international oversight.
Key provisions include:
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An immediate ceasefire
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Exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners
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A staged Israeli military withdrawal
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The disarmament of Hamas
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Creation of a transitional governance body with Arab and Islamic involvement
Hamas has agreed to release all captives, including both living hostages and remains, and expressed readiness to transfer Gaza’s administration to a technocratic Palestinian body supported by Arab and Muslim states.
However, it rejected demands for disarmament and foreign-led governance, especially the reported involvement of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Hamas response: Conditional cooperation
A senior Hamas official, speaking to Al Jazeera, said the group would not disarm before Israel ends its occupation and fully withdraws its forces.
He added that any decision regarding Gaza’s political future must come through “Palestinian national consensus.”
This stance suggests that while the militant group is open to negotiations, core disagreements—particularly over sovereignty and disarmament—remain unresolved.
Regional and international diplomacy intensifies
Diplomatic engagement has accelerated since Trump’s announcement, with several Arab states mediating to secure a humanitarian truce and facilitate hostage exchanges.
Shehbaz Sharif’s praise for Muslim leadership highlights Pakistan’s broader diplomatic alignment with regional peace initiatives led by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
Analysts say that if the ceasefire holds, it could mark the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the war erupted nearly two years ago.
