U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered Israel to stop bombing the Gaza Strip after Hamas said it had accepted some elements of his plan to end the conflict and return all the remaining hostages taken in the October 2023, attack.

There was no immediate response from Israel – and senior Hamas officials suggested there were still major disagreements that required further negotiations.

The Hamas response fell short of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands that that the group surrender and disarm.

Israel had earlier accepted Trump’s plan in its entirety.

The latest ceasefire effort is being welcomed internationally.

Key mediators Egypt and Qatar welcomed the latest developments,

French President Emmanuel Macron expressd optimism, writing on social media that “the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach!”