Hamas has partially accepted the US-proposed Gaza peace plan and called for further negotiations, signaling cautious optimism toward ending the ongoing conflict.
Hamas responded to the U.S. proposal for a cessation of fighting in Gaza by accepting, in principle, specific terms, including the release of Israeli hostages, but wanted more talks on the key issues(adds rejected proposal details).
The Wings of Victory militant group said it would:
To release all the Israeli prisoners, living and dead, in accordance with the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, albeit conditional on appropriate conditions on the ground.
Nevertheless, Hamas said that national-level dialogue continues about Gaza governance and Palestinian rights.
US Puts Deadline on Tense Talks
Just hours before Hamas’s announcement, US President Donald Trump gave the group an ultimatum to commit to the peace plan in time for the 6 PM Washington deadline (10 PM GMT) Sunday, threatening “very strong” repercussions if it was ignored:
“WITHOUT this LAST CHANCE agreement, all HELL, like NO ONE has ever seen, will come DOWN on Hamas. Well, either way, he said “THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST!”
It demands an immediate end to all fighting, and the release of 20 living Israeli hostages (plus remains of dead ones) within 3 days for every 1000 Gazans detained.
Details of the Peace Proposal
The 20-point plan laid out by Trump and agreed to by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states:
• Hamas and al-Quds be disarmed and banned from governing Gaza, temporarily replaced with a technocratic Palestinian committee under the auspices of an international transitional authority, the Board of Peace, run out of Mar-a-Lago by Trump.
• There is a reference to a future “process” towards a Palestinian state that continues to be disputed, with Netanyahu again reiterating opposition, saying:
This is not in the agreement. This is what we declared when we opposed a Palestinian state to the destruction of the ground.
• All humanitarian assistance would go into Gaza immediately upon agreement.
Mixed Reception Among Stakeholders
Egyptian and Qatari, and Turkish mediators prepare for talks; some Hamas political officials in Doha look willing to accept the plan with amendments, Gaza military wing is not so much
The initiative was widely welcomed by European and Middle Eastern governments, while the Palestinian Authority described Trump’s efforts as sincere and with determination.
However, some countries, such as Pakistan, have expressed reservations regarding the plan’s alignment with broader Muslim-majority perspectives.
Situation with Hostages and Current State of Conflict
Hamas is expected to still be holding about 48 hostages, and just 20 are believed to be alive. The new Israeli military campaign near Gaza City aims at upping the ante with added blockades and focused actions in an effort to extract prisoner frees.
According to Israeli reports, hundreds of thousands of Gaza residents have been forced to evacuate to specific humanitarian zones, as messages from the Israeli occupation threaten that those who don’t will be treated as terror supporters.
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder called such safe zone plans “farcical”, citing regular bombardment and bunker-busting of such designated havens, including schools.
The Path Forward
As the Sunday deadline approaches, tensions persist with significant uncertainties over whether Hamas will compromise or reject the US plan. Both Israel and the US emphasize readiness for further escalation if acceptance is not secured. The fragile balance reflects the immense challenge in resolving one of the world’s most protracted conflicts.
This evolving situation demands close monitoring as diplomatic efforts intersect with military realities in the pursuit of peace and humanitarian relief for Gaza.
