Hamas has responded to US President Donald Trump’s just lately proposed 20-point peace plan for Gaza, signalling acceptance of a number of main parts, together with an finish to the battle, Israel’s withdrawal, and the discharge of Israeli hostages alongside Palestinian prisoners. Nonetheless, vital variations stay over the governance of Gaza and Hamas’ future position within the territory.
In a press release issued on Friday, the Palestinian militant group agreed to a ceasefire and Israel’s “full withdrawal” from Gaza, whereas reiterating its opposition to Israeli occupation and any pressured displacement of Palestinians. Hamas welcomed the plan’s name for elevated humanitarian support and reconstruction efforts, together with the rehabilitation of important infrastructure, hospitals, and bakeries.
Central to the proposal is the discharge of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Hamas confirmed its willingness to free these hostages, each residing and deceased, “in response to the change components contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the mandatory subject situations for implementing the change.” The group didn’t elaborate on what these “obligatory subject situations” entail, however expressed readiness to start quick negotiations via mediators.
Trump’s plan specifies that each one hostages can be returned inside 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting the settlement. Following this, Israel would launch 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 others detained since 7 October 2023, together with girls and kids. For each Israeli hostage whose stays are returned, Israel may even launch the stays of 15 deceased Gazans.
On the query of governance, Trump’s proposal envisions a short lived transitional authorities in Gaza, managed by an apolitical Palestinian technocratic committee overseen by a global physique headed by Trump, with members together with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. This committee would supervise the administration through the transition, and the plan requires a demilitarisation of Gaza.
Hamas, nonetheless, said it could hand over Gaza’s administration “to a Palestinian physique of independents (technocrats) primarily based on Palestinian nationwide consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing.” The group didn’t handle the proposed worldwide stabilisation power or the demilitarisation demand, sustaining its stance of being a part of a “complete Palestinian nationwide framework” and rejecting calls to disarm.
“That is tied to a collective nationwide place and in accordance with related worldwide legal guidelines and resolutions, to be mentioned inside a complete Palestinian nationwide framework, by which Hamas shall be included and can contribute with full duty,” the assertion mentioned.
The militant group additionally opposed any expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, aligning with Trump’s plan that states “nobody shall be pressured to go away,” whereas these wishing to depart could achieve this freely with the best to return.
The variations in governance and Hamas’ position stay the important thing sticking factors that might affect the success of additional negotiations. Hamas indicated its willingness to have interaction in talks via mediators to resolve excellent points.