Hamas Accepts Key Parts of Trump’s Gaza Peace Ultimatum
Hamas announced Friday its conditional acceptance of significant components within former President Donald Trump’s comprehensive proposal aimed at resolving the conflict in Gaza. The Palestinian militant group signaled its readiness for a prisoner exchange and a transfer of administrative authority in the Gaza Strip, though it stressed the need for further negotiations on specific details of the multi-faceted plan.
Crucially, Hamas’s statement remained ambiguous regarding a core tenet of Trump’s initiative: the complete disarmament of its forces. Its response to other elements of the 20-part proposal, which was initially unveiled earlier this week, also lacked definitive clarity. Despite these reservations, Trump promptly lauded the group’s declaration and issued an immediate directive for Israel to halt its aerial bombardment of Gaza.
Trump Hails Potential for “Lasting Peace”
Expressing optimism, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE.” This extraordinary command from the former U.S. President underscores a pivotal moment, marking the closest Israel and Hamas have been in two years to forging an agreement to end the protracted hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
The development offers a glimmer of hope amidst a conflict that has exacted a heavy toll on the region. Analysts suggest that even a partial acceptance from Hamas could pave the way for de-escalation, provided the sticking points, particularly regarding disarmament, can be addressed through continued diplomatic efforts.
Hostage Release and Governance Transfer Agreed
In its official communication, Hamas affirmed its “approval of releasing all occupation prisoners – both living and remains – according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.” This commitment to a comprehensive hostage swap represents a major breakthrough, potentially leading to the return of all Israeli captives held in Gaza.
Furthermore, Hamas expressed its willingness to relinquish control over the territory’s daily operations. The group stated its preparedness to hand over “the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independent technocrats based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing.” This suggests a potential pathway for a new, unified Palestinian governance structure, backed by regional powers, to take charge of the besieged enclave.
However, the absence of a clear commitment to lay down arms remains a significant hurdle. Disarmament has consistently been a non-negotiable demand from Israel and a cornerstone of any long-term peace framework proposed by international mediators. Future negotiations will undoubtedly focus on bridging this critical gap and clarifying the specifics of the 20-point plan.
The coming days will be crucial as diplomatic channels work to capitalize on this tentative progress. The world watches to see if the momentum generated by Hamas’s partial approval and Trump’s swift reaction can translate into a tangible and enduring resolution for the people of Gaza and the broader region.
Source: The Guardian
