Hamas Seeks Amendments to the Trump Gaza Plan
The Hamas movement is pushing to amend key provisions of the Trump plan for Gaza, arguing that some clauses should be clarified or reworked before any endorsement. A Palestinian source close to the movement says the group opposes a blanket disarmament and wants international guarantees about the Israeli withdrawal.
Negotiators for Hamas met Tuesday in Doha, the Qatari capital, with mediators from Qatar and Egypt as well as Turkish officials. The source notes that the talks were held in the strictest confidence and that Hamas would need no more than two to three days to respond to the proposals.
Specific Clauses Under Scrutiny
The Trump plan for Gaza envisions a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from the territory. Hamas, however, wants to modify certain clauses, particularly the disarmament requirement and the potential expulsion of senior Hamas cadres from bargaining positions. In addition, Hamas demands what it calls international guarantees that Israel will withdraw in full from Gaza and that there will be no targeted killings inside or outside the territory.
These demands reflect concerns that the plan could leave Hamas vulnerable to future attacks or political isolation if disarmament proceeds without credible international oversight.
Internal Dissent and Strategic Choices
Within Hamas there appear to be two camps about the plan. One faction favors unconditional backing of the plan, arguing that securing a ceasefire under the Trump-proposed guarantees and mediators oversight is the immediate priority. A second camp raises serious reservations about core elements like disarmament and expulsions, preferring a conditional approval that would demand clarifications aligned with Hamas and allied resistance movements’ concerns.
Experts note that neither side seeks a ceasefire at the cost of compromising national principles. The objective, from whichever faction, is a durable pause in the conflict that can translate into broader political gains, while preserving the movement’s regional standing and refusal to concede key national red lines.
Mediators, Risks, and the Path Forward
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani has reiterated that the plan aims to end the Palestinian people’s suffering but that several provisions must be clarified. Doha describes the discussions as ongoing and says clarifications will be the subject of further negotiations with Egypt and allied partners, including Turkey. The discussions occur against the backdrop of a deadly September incident in Doha that killed six people associated with Hamas during a meeting to discuss a possible ceasefire.
In parallel, Hamas indicates it is maintaining contact with other regional and Arab actors. For now, the group suggests a careful, conditional approach while watching how Israel implements any agreed terms, underscoring that a ceasefire cannot come at the expense of fundamental national principles.
Looking Ahead
With negotiations continuing, a final decision remains uncertain. The Trump plan for Gaza has the backing of Prime Minister Netanyahu, but Hamas plans to take a measured stance, seeking assurances that would make any agreement durable and acceptable to its constituents and to Palestinian public opinion at large. The coming days are likely to shape whether a ceasefire, still the central objective, can be reached without compromising core demands for independence and security guarantees.
