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Hamas consenting to free the outstanding hostages, although subject to talks and specific conditions being fulfilled, provides real hope to the family members in the Israeli state who have been desperate for this type of news for a very long time

In its statement responding to the American peace initiative, the group expressed willingness to "free all Israel's detainees, both living and deceased, according to the exchange arrangement contained in the US President's proposal, on condition the practical conditions for the swap are satisfied"

That framework, detailed by Trump at the White House earlier this week, proposes an immediate cessation to the hostilities and the handover within three days of all living Israel's hostages detained by Hamas – as well as the bodies of hostages thought to be no longer alive – in exchange for hundreds of imprisoned Palestinian people

There are estimated to be forty-eight hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip by the militant faction, only 20 of whom are thought to be surviving

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The endorsement by Hamas of an additional key element of the American ceasefire proposal, the concept of transferring the administration of Gaza to Palestinian experts, is also clearly noteworthy

But there are numerous of additional elements of the lengthy, twenty-part plan that are conspicuous by their omission

The most prominent of those is the stipulation that Hamas lay down its arms

"It marks a major day", Trump says of the group's reply to peace deal

The Israel's leadership will now be poring over the language of the statement to determine the true intent

It will have to determine whether it sees this as a genuine trustworthy approval of some of the key provisions of the agreement, or simply an effort to delay and reopen protracted discussions

Considering that it came just a few hours after President Donald Trump delivered his final ultimatum for the faction to agree by Sunday evening or confront "all hell", some officials of the Israeli premier's government are expected to be highly sceptical

That is especially the case now the US president has urged the Israeli state to immediately halt the bombing of the territory

"Based on the Communication just released by Hamas, I believe they are prepared for a enduring CEASEFIRE", President Trump said shortly after the group's statement was released

"The Israeli government must promptly stop the bombing of the region, so that we can get the Captives out without harm and swiftly", he said. "Right now, it's extremely dangerous to do that"

The Israeli officials will be displeased by the last paragraph of his announcement suggesting that the faction would retain a role in negotiations over the future governance of the coastal enclave

The Hamas response is significant, no doubt. In a recorded address released later on Friday, Trump said it was a "big day" and expressed gratitude to a series of nations which he claimed had helped him develop the initiative together

But there is still a substantial deal of detail to be worked through before peace in the area becomes remotely close to a certainty. And the president appeared to acknowledge this was far from a final agreement

"We'll see how it everything turns out", he said. "It is necessary to get the final word in place and firmly established"