President Trump said Friday that Israel should stop bombing Gaza and prepare for the release of its hostages because he now believes Hamas is "ready for a lasting PEACE."

Why it matters: This is the first time since returning to office that Trump has tried to force Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the fighting.

Driving the news: Hamas responded to Trump's Gaza peace plan with a "yes, but." • The group said it was willing to release all remaining hostages in return for an end to the war and a full Israeli military withdrawal. • But while it accepted parts of the Trump proposal, Hamas requested technical talks on other parts and political negotiations to settle the rest. • Trump had hours earlier threatened to unleash "hell" if Hamas didn't accept his plan by Sunday. With Ha

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