President Donald Trump, right, asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately stop bombing Gaza to enable the immediate release of all living hostages after Hamas on Friday agreed to release all hostages, living and dead, and negotiate a lasting peace. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Hamas leaders say they will release all hostages, living and dead, but need more than three days to do so, which prompted President Donald Trump to urge Israel to stop bombing Gaza.
Hamas said it wants to enter into negotiations to end the war in Gaza that started when Hamas and its allies attacked, killed and kidnapped Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Hamas leaders in a Friday night statement said they agreed to "release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump's proposal," according to the BBC.
Its leaders said they will need more than 72 hours to arrange the release of an estimated 48 hostages, of which only 20 are thought to be living.
