Hamas Accepts Key Elements of Trump's Gaza Proposal
In a significant development that could potentially end the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza, Hamas has given a conditional 'yes' to former President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan. The militant group agreed to release all remaining hostages and transfer governance of Gaza to a Palestinian technocratic committee, but rejected key elements including demilitarization and international oversight.
'We are prepared to immediately negotiate and release all hostages according to the proposed exchange formula,' a Hamas spokesperson stated in their official response. 'However, we will never accept anyone who is not Palestinian to control the Palestinians.'
Trump's 20-Point Plan: The Key Provisions
The comprehensive peace proposal, released by the White House in September 2025, outlines a detailed framework for ending the conflict that has killed over 66,000 Palestinians and displaced 90% of Gaza's population. The plan calls for Gaza to become a "deradicalized terror-free zone" with immediate ceasefire conditions.
Key elements include the release of all hostages within 72 hours, exchange of Palestinian prisoners, establishment of a technocratic Palestinian committee for transitional governance, and complete demilitarization of Hamas. The plan also proposes a "Board of Peace" chaired by Trump with Tony Blair as a member to oversee the transition process.
Where Hamas Draws the Line
While accepting the hostage release and governance transfer, Hamas firmly rejected the international oversight component. 'The Board of Peace proposal is completely unacceptable to us,' the group's statement declared. 'We cannot have foreign powers dictating our future.'
The group also remained silent on the crucial demilitarization requirement, suggesting they might be willing to transfer "offensive weapons" to Egypt under UN supervision but would retain defensive systems. This ambiguity raises serious questions about the long-term viability of any agreement.
Internal Divisions Complicate Response
The Hamas response reveals significant internal divisions within the organization. Since the death of leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, the movement has been led by a political council in exile in Qatar, while military commanders maintain control within Gaza. 'This dual leadership structure has complicated decision-making and created delays in formulating a unified response,' according to Arab mediators familiar with the negotiations.
Israeli analyst Yossi Melman noted, 'Trump has told Netanyahu to keep quiet and stop fighting, and that's what they're doing now. Israel no longer seems to be pursuing an independent course in this war.'
Israeli Government Faces Political Pressure
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted Trump's plan, stating it achieves "all of Israel's objectives." However, ministers from his right-wing coalition have expressed strong opposition, viewing the proposal as a defeat. For them, the release of Hamas members in prisoner exchanges and the absence of territorial annexation are particularly difficult to accept.
The war, which began following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks, has created deep political divisions within Israel. While some see the Trump plan as a path to ending the conflict, others view it as compromising Israel's security interests.
Humanitarian Crisis and Next Steps
The conflict has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory, with Gaza's infrastructure largely destroyed and the population facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The Trump plan includes provisions for immediate humanitarian aid and long-term reconstruction, but implementation depends on successful negotiations.
Qatar, serving as the primary mediator alongside Egypt, has welcomed Hamas's response and emphasized that follow-up discussions are underway. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether this breakthrough leads to sustainable peace or merely postpones further violence.
As Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, emphasized, 'Any agreement must guarantee our freedom and independence, and prevent attempts to impose foreign rule in Gaza or separate it from the West Bank.'