Hamas Signals Support for Trump’s Gaza Ceasefire Plan, Hostage Deal, and Transitional Governance
Hamas has expressed conditional agreement to key elements of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan for Gaza, announced on October 1 during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan seeks to halt the nearly two-year conflict sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
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Key Points of Trump’s Ceasefire Plan
- Immediate ceasefire to halt hostilities.
- Release of all 48 remaining Israeli hostages (20 believed alive) in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 detained since the war began.
- Phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
- Disarmament of Hamas.
- Establishment of a transitional international-led government for Gaza.
- Increased humanitarian aid to address Gaza’s crisis.
Hamas’s Response
On October 3, Hamas announced it would:
- Release all hostages (alive or dead) within 72 hours, contingent on “field conditions” allowing safe extraction amid ongoing fighting.
- Support an immediate ceasefire and end to hostilities.
- Step back from governing Gaza, favoring a technocratic or international administration.
However, Hamas rejected or sought further negotiations on:
- Disarmament, insisting it will not occur until Israel’s “occupation” of Gaza ends completely.
- Full Israeli withdrawal and guarantees for Palestinian rights, to be discussed within a “unified Palestinian national framework.”
- Other unspecified elements, including the scope of prisoner releases and Gaza’s long-term political future.
A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that disarmament is non-negotiable without an end to Israel’s blockade and occupation, though the group described its response as “constructive.”
International and Regional Reactions
- United States: President Trump called Hamas’s response a sign they are “ready for a lasting peace,” ordering Israel to halt Gaza bombings immediately to facilitate hostage releases. He set a deadline of 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 5, warning of severe consequences if unmet. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described it as a “significant opportunity.”
- Israel: Netanyahu’s office indicated readiness to implement the first phase (hostage release and ceasefire) but has not fully endorsed the plan. Israeli strikes continued in Gaza on October 3–4, including near al-Shifa Hospital, drawing criticism.
- Qatar and Egypt: As key mediators, both nations welcomed the development and are coordinating with the U.S. to advance talks.
- United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties to “seize the opportunity” for peace.
- United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a “significant step forwards,” demanding swift implementation.
- France: President Emmanuel Macron stated that a ceasefire and hostage release are “within reach.”
- Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz described it as the “best chance for peace” in nearly two years.
- Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan labeled it a “constructive step” but demanded Israel commit to a two-state solution.
Current Developments
Negotiations continue through mediators, with optimism for progress on hostage releases and humanitarian aid. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding Hamas’s refusal to disarm and the ongoing Israeli military operations. Analysts suggest Trump’s influence over Netanyahu could be pivotal, though internal divisions within Hamas may delay progress. As of October 4, no final agreement has been reached, but the talks represent a potential breakthrough in the protracted conflict.
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