Overview: Hamas Signals Conditional Acceptance of Trump’s Gaza Plan
In a development that could shift the dynamics of the Gaza conflict, Hamas announced it would accept certain components of a peace proposal for the Gaza Strip put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump. The group said it could back parts of the plan, including the transfer of all Israeli hostages, both those believed dead and those still alive, as a basis for negotiations. While the gesture marks a potential opening, Hamas stressed that it does not endorse the plan in full and linked progress to broader Palestinian unity and international law.
Key Elements Hamas Seems to Accept
The Hamas statement highlights two headline elements of the Trump plan. First, the handover of all hostages—dead and alive—would be pursued as a prerequisite for any further steps. Second, Hamas reiterated its stance that the Gaza Strip’s administration should be entrusted to a Palestinian technocratic body of independent professionals, a governance model separate from Hamas’ current leadership. The group did not commit to disarming its forces; instead, it signaled that weapon relinquishment would occur only after the end of the Israeli occupation, a condition it has long maintained.
Conditions for Broader Engagement
Hamas said any proposals related to Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights must be decided on the basis of a unified Palestinian stance, with Hamas actively involved in shaping that position. The group underscored that consensus would need to be built through inter-faction negotiations and in alignment with international law. While it left room for discussion, it suggested a tight prerequisite: a commission of Palestinian partners and observers would need to be part of the process. The statement also indicated openness to talks mediated by third parties, with Hamas ready to engage immediately to discuss the plan’s details.
Trump’s Frame and the Hostage Issue
President Trump framed the escalating diplomacy as a crucial, last chance moment for Hamas, saying publicly that the organization should accept the plan to avoid suffering “the hell” that would follow. He argued that Israel must halt attacks to enable a safe and rapid extraction of hostages. Trump’s comments, disseminated via his Truth Social platform, align with the plan’s emphasis on a rapid hostage release and reciprocal concessions.
What the Plan Entails
The peace concept envisions a pause in fighting and a sequence of steps designed to ease hostage crises and prisoner exchanges. According to Reuters, the plan would see the release of 48 hostages held by Hamas within 72 hours. In return, Israel would release around 250 Palestinian prisoners convicted of serious offenses and approximately 1,700 inmates detained after October 7, 2023. Hamas, however, indicated that the 72-hour hostage-release window may be impractical to achieve in reality, signaling potential friction over timelines and feasibility.
Global Reactions: A Mixed Chorus
The international response was cautiously positive. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the hostage-release process “within reach in concrete terms” and urged an immediate end to the fighting. He stressed that any delay would endanger lives and hinder negotiations. Qatar and Egypt welcomed the development, with Doha praising Hamas’s stated willingness to align with the Trump plan, and Cairo calling the move a constructive step. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all sides to seize the chance to avert further bloodshed, while France’s Emmanuel Macron urged immediate implementation of Hamas’s commitment.
Israel’s Side: Families and Domestic Debate
On the Israeli front, hostage families pressed Prime Minister Netanyahu to engage actively in negotiations and to work toward freeing all captives. The families’ forum urged swift, efficient talks to secure the return of their loved ones. Within Israel’s coalition, some right-wing partners voiced opposition to the peace plan, signaling that domestic political divisions could complicate the path forward, especially as the country observes the Jewish Sabbath and refrains from public statements during the period surrounding it.
What Comes Next?
While the Hamas position signals a potential opening for negotiations, many questions remain. The plan’s exact terms, the mechanics of a unified Palestinian stance, and the practicalities of hostages’ return will need close coordination among regional and international mediators. Observers caution that broad consensus among Palestinian factions is essential for any durable agreement, and that domestic Israeli politics could either accelerate or stall possible breakthroughs. The next days will be critical in determining whether the truce momentum translates into a durable pause in fighting and a path toward wider peace talks.
Conclusion: A Moment of Opportunity and Uncertainty
The evolving dialogue around Trump’s Gaza plan offers a moment of potential de-escalation after years of conflict. Hamas’s conditional acceptance, emphasis on Palestinian unity, and calls for mediated negotiations mark a shift that could reframe regional diplomacy. Yet the road ahead remains uncertain, with trust and coordination as the decisive variables in whether a lasting resolution is achievable.
