DOHA, Oct 4: Hamas has signaled conditional acceptance of parts of former US President Donald Trump’s new proposal for ending Israel’s nearly two-year war on Gaza, while stressing that further discussions are required before a final agreement. The armed group delivered its formal response to Trump’s 20-point plan on Friday, only hours after Trump set a Sunday deadline for a reply, Al Jazeera reported.
Trump’s outline calls for a ceasefire, the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the creation of a transitional administration under an international body, and the disarmament of Hamas, according to Al Jazeera.
The group’s written response did not touch on disarmament but said it was prepared to release both living and deceased Israeli captives under the exchange formula described in Trump’s proposal, while insisting that proper field conditions must be in place for such an operation. Hamas also expressed readiness to engage in mediated talks immediately to sort out implementation details, according to Al Jazeera.
The group further suggested transferring Gaza’s administration to a council of independent Palestinian technocrats, backed by Arab and Islamic countries, rather than to the “Board of Peace” outlined in Trump’s plan.
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Trump’s version would give him and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair direct oversight. Hamas said a united national stance and international law must decide broader issues concerning Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights. This indicates that the group prefers local ownership of governance over an externally controlled mechanism, Al Jazeera stated.
Trump, who had warned of unprecedented consequences if Hamas refused his terms, later struck a conciliatory tone. On his Truth Social account, he claimed Hamas was showing signs of being “ready for a lasting peace” and urged Israel to halt airstrikes so hostages could be freed safely. He framed the initiative as part of a wider push for peace in the Middle East, the Doha-based news outlet reported.
Al Jazeera’s analyst Ali Hashem said the Hamas response created “a window for negotiations” over the next two days. He noted that the rejection of the “Board of Peace” stemmed from Hamas’s concern that Gaza would be separated from the broader Palestinian cause.
The proposal itself does not address eventual unity with the occupied West Bank, which complicates any future statehood prospects. Still, Hamas praised Trump’s role and acknowledged the contributions of Arab and international mediators, which Hashem interpreted as an olive branch from the group. Al Jazeera mentioned this point.
Mediator Qatar said it welcomed Hamas’s statement, with its foreign ministry announcing it was already working with Egypt and the United States to keep the talks alive. Egypt also expressed hope for a positive breakthrough, pledging to cooperate with Arab states, Washington, and European governments, added the Qatari news channel.
UN chief Antonio Guterres called on all sides to seize the chance to end the bloodshed. Meanwhile, Israel pressed its offensive, reportedly deploying remote-controlled explosive vehicles to destroy neighborhoods in Gaza City. Palestinian health officials say more than 66,000 people, most of them women and children, have been killed since October 2023, Al Jazeera quoted.
Senior Hamas figure Mousa Abu Marzouk later confirmed outright rejection of Trump’s “Board of Peace,” stressing that Palestinians would never accept external administrators.
He singled out Blair, citing his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as unacceptable. From Washington, Al Jazeera correspondent Rosalind Jordan said Hamas appeared inclined to accept much of Trump’s framework but added that major negotiations still lie ahead to finalize details and secure consensus among all parties, Al Jazeera reported.
