United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has praised Hamas for showing openness to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal aimed at achieving peace in Gaza.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, on Friday in New York, Guterres encouraged both Hamas and Israel to seize the moment to end hostilities and relieve the suffering of civilians caught in the conflict.

He renewed his call for a permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The UN chief also expressed gratitude to Qatar and Egypt for their ongoing efforts to mediate between the two sides.

Hamas, in its formal reply to Trump’s plan, informed regional mediators that it was willing in principle to release Israeli hostages—both alive and deceased—and to hand over Gaza’s administration to an independent Palestinian technocratic body supported by Arab and Islamic states.

Reacting to the statement, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he believed Hamas was “ready for lasting peace,” while urging Israel to halt its bombardment of Gaza. He added that the discussions underway were not limited to Gaza alone but aimed at achieving broader peace in the Middle East.

Earlier in the week, the Trump administration outlined a 20-point roadmap proposing a ceasefire-for-hostages exchange, gradual Israeli troop withdrawal, Gaza’s demilitarization, and international oversight of the enclave’s reconstruction and post-war governance.

Guterres reaffirmed that the United Nations would continue supporting diplomatic initiatives that promote peace and help prevent further suffering in the region.