PARIS — European leaders welcomed with guarded optimism signs that a ceasefire may be within reach in the Gaza Strip after the Hamas militant group said it was ready to release the remaining Israeli hostages.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote that Hamas’ response to a Gaza peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump was “encouraging” in a post on X on Saturday.
“This moment must be seized,” she said. “Europe will support all efforts aiming to end the suffering of civilians.”
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israel to respond swiftly to Hamas’ move late on Friday. “Hamas’ commitment must be followed up without delay,” he posted online.
Meanwhile British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Hamas’ stated readiness to release hostages was “a significant step forwards.”
“We call on all sides to implement the agreement without delay,” Starmer said, according to a statement from his office.
Even though Trump called on Israel to stop bombing the Palestinian enclave on Friday, there were some reports on Saturday morning that Israel was continuing its offensive.
On Saturday, a spokesperson for the Israeli armed forces warned that the northern part of the the Gaza Strip remained “a dangerous combat zone.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week signed up to the U.S. president’s 20-point plan, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, the disarmament of Hamas fighters and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli armed forces.
According to the AFP news agency, the Israeli prime minister’s office said that Israel was “preparing for the immediate implementation of the first stage of the Trump plan for the release of all the hostages.”
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