Displaced Palestinians sheltering across southern and central Gaza are pinning their hopes on a U.S.-proposed peace plan, after Hamas agreed to release Israeli hostages and hand over Gaza's administration. The moves are seen as potential steps toward ending Israeli strikes and restoring stability across the devastated enclave. Hamas announced on Friday that it has submitted its response to U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza peace proposal to regional and international mediators, saying it has agreed in principle to release all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased. "We want the river of blood and death to stop, and for life to gradually return to normal. We don't feel safe enough to leave even our tent. We want security and stability so our children can go back to school and life can return to normal," said Abdel Kareem Al-Dayya. "Ending the war, no matter the cost, is in itself salvation from the massacre being carried out against the Palestinian people, from the starvation war imposed by the occupation, and from the repeated waves of displacement," said Alaa Abdel Baqi. "We are extremely exhausted. We endured hunger and thirst, and even the food aid distributed wasn't enough for everyone. Our tents are worn out, and winter is coming. We truly hope this solution succeeds so we can finally find proper shelter," said Um Rami Al-Shawish. "Only God know how much we've suffered in this war. Our homes were destroyed and our children were killed. But thank God, we were surprised to hear that a ceasefire agreement had been reached. People were overjoyed, eager to return home, even if their homes are in ruins," said Abu Abdullah. In a press statement on Friday, Hamas agreed to transfer the administration of Gaza to a Palestinian body of independent technocrats, formed through national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic countries. According to the statement, other issues raised in the U.S. proposal concerning Gaza's future and the broader rights of the Palestinian people would be addressed within a collective Palestinian framework, in line with relevant international laws and resolutions. Hamas also stated that the release of all Israeli hostages will be based on the exchange framework outlined in Trump's proposal and expressed its readiness to begin immediate negotiations through mediators to discuss the implementation details. The group said it values Arab, Islamic, international, and U.S. efforts aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, allowing the entry of humanitarian aid, preventing the displacement of Palestinians, and rejecting the reoccupation of the enclave. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sept 29 they have agreed to a 20-point plan proposed by Washington to end the conflict in Gaza. The U.S.-proposed plan combines a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, phased Israeli withdrawal, and international oversight on Gaza's reconstruction and governance after the end of the conflict. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has surpassed 67,000, Gaza's health authorities said on Saturday. The video shows: Gaza Strip - Oct 4, 2025 1. Various of tents, displaced Palestinians 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abdel Kareem Al-Dayya, displaced Palestinian: "We want the river of blood and death to stop, and for life to gradually return to normal. We don't feel safe enough to leave even our tent. We want security and stability so our children can go back to school and life can return to normal." 3. Various of children carrying buckets, bottles of water 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Alaa Abdel Baqi, displaced Palestinian: "Ending the war, no matter the cost, is in itself salvation from the massacre being carried out against the Palestinian people, from the starvation war imposed by the occupation, and from the repeated waves of displacement." 5. Various of people collecting water; water containers 6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Um Rami Al-Shawish, displaced Palestinian: "We are extremely exhausted. We endured hunger and thirst, and even the food aid distributed wasn't enough for everyone. Our tents are worn out, and winter is coming. We truly hope this solution succeeds so we can finally find proper shelter." 7. Various of tents, displaced Palestinians 8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abu Abdullah, displaced Palestinian: "Only God know how much we've suffered in this war. Our homes were destroyed and our children were killed. But thank God, we were surprised to hear that a ceasefire agreement had been reached. People were overjoyed, eager to return home, even if their homes are in ruins." 9. Tents, displaced Palestinians [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]