GAZA, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Islamic Jihad group on Saturday backed Hamas's response to U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan for Gaza.
"The response provided by Hamas to the Trump plan expresses the position of the Palestinian resistance forces," Islamic Jihad said in a statement, adding that it had "responsibly participated in the consultations that led to this decision."
Hamas said on Friday it had submitted its response to mediators, agreeing in principle to release all Israeli hostages, including the bodies of the dead. The group also signaled readiness to hand Gaza's administration to a non-partisan Palestinian authority of technocrats, formed by national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic states.
Trump welcomed the statement on his Truth Social platform, saying Hamas appeared "ready for a lasting peace" and urging Israel to halt its bombardment. "We are already in discussions on the details to be worked out," he wrote. "This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought peace in the Middle East."
The Trump administration unveiled the 20-point plan on Monday following talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The proposal outlines a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, a phased Israeli withdrawal, a demilitarized Gaza, and international oversight of the enclave's reconstruction and governance once the conflict ends. ■
