Islamic Jihad backs Hamas response to US Gaza plan

Cairo, Egypt/Gaza - Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas that also holds Israeli hostages, on Saturday, Oct. 4, endorsed Hamas’ response to a US plan to end the war in Gaza – a move that could help pave the way for the release of Israeli captives still held by both groups.

"Hamas' (reaction) to Trump's plan represents the position of the Palestinian resistance factions, and the Islamic Jihad participated responsibly in the consultations that led to this decision," the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad, which is smaller than Hamas but seen as more hardline, said in a statement.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, on Friday accepted certain key parts of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan, including ending the war, Israel's withdrawal and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives.

Hamas' stance, and its backing by Islamic Jihad, may raise the spirit of Gazans, who had watched one ceasefire effort after another fail as Israeli strikes pulverized the strip over the past two years, created a humanitarian crisis and displaced millions.

“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive, it saves the people, and thank God that they (Hamas) agreed. This is enough, good people. We are tired, I swear to God, we are tired, tired," said Palestinian Saoud Qarneyta, 32.

Other Palestinians were cautious, expressing fear that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will ultimately withdraw from any plan to end the war.

"What is important is that Netanyahu does not sabotage this, because now that Hamas agreed, Netanyahu will disagree, as he usually does," said Jerusalem resident Jamal Shihada.

The Israeli military's Arabic spokesperson issued a warning on Saturday for residents of Gaza city, saying it remained a "dangerous" combat zone.

He urged residents in a post on X to avoid going north in the enclave or nearing any areas where the military operates.

News website Axios earlier reported that the Israeli military will shift to defensive operations in Gaza and halt its plan to seize Gaza City.

Israeli airstrikes persisted early on Saturday but they were less intense, after U.S. President Trump had called for a halt to the bombing saying Hamas was ready for peace.

Israeli fire killed six people across Gaza Strip, local authorities said. One strike killed four people in a house in Gaza City while another killed two others in Khan Younis in the south, medical workers and local authorities said.

Worldwide support

Netanyahu's office said early on Saturday that Israel was preparing for an "immediate implementation" of the first stage of Trump's Gaza plan for the release of Israeli hostages following Hamas' response.

Shortly after, Israeli media reported that the country's political echelon had instructed the military to reduce offensive activity in Gaza.

Trump's plan and Hamas' reaction won support around the world, from Australia to India to Canada.

The Israeli military chief of staff instructed forces in a statement to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of Trump’s plan, without mentioning whether there would be reduction of military activity in Gaza.

Hamas responded to Trump's 20-point plan after the U.S. president gave the group until Sunday to accept or face grave consequences.

Trump, who has cast himself as the only person capable of achieving peace in Gaza, has invested significant political capital in efforts to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and left U.S. ally Israel increasingly isolated on the world stage.

Trump said on Friday he believed Hamas had shown it was "ready for a lasting PEACE" and he put the onus on Netanyahu's government.

"Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Before Israel's latest announcements, families of those being held by Hamas in Gaza called on Netanyahu "to immediately order negotiations for the return of all hostages."

Domestically, the prime minister is caught between growing pressure to end the war — from hostage families and a war-weary public — and demands from hardline members of his far-right coalition who insist there must be no let-up in Israel’s campaign in Gaza.

Israel began its offensive in Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken as hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Israel says 48 hostages remain, 20 of whom are alive.

Israel's military campaign has killed more than 66,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Its assault has destroyed much of the strip while aid restrictions have triggered a famine in parts of Gaza, with conditions dire across the enclave.

(Additional reporting by Mohammed Torokman; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Susan Fenton)