Relatives of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza called Saturday for the Israeli public to "stand firm" against "saboteurs" who might try to scuttle a possible deal to return them.

Hamas on Friday said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians, as part of a peace deal unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week.

Trump ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza and welcomed the Hamas statement, saying: “I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.”

The U.S. President appears determined to deliver on pledges to end the war and return all hostages ahead of the second anniversary on Tuesday of the attack that sparked it.

His proposal to do so has widespread international support.

Also on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel was committed to ending the war that began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Netanyahu is under increasing pressure to end the conflict.

AP video by Shlomo Mor