SAEDNEWS: While agreeing with the general framework of the plan, some issues still require further consultation.” This brief statement summarizes the Hamas leaders’ position on Donald Trump’s peace plan for a ceasefire in Gaza: it is neither a clear yes nor a clear no.
According to Saed News Political Service, “Although there is agreement on the general framework of the plan, some issues still require further consultation.” This statement succinctly summarizes Hamas leaders’ response to Donald Trump’s peace proposal for a Gaza ceasefire: it is neither a clear “yes” to Trump’s plan nor a rejection of it.
Trump and Netanyahu used all their leverage to impose their agenda on the leaders of the Palestinian Islamic resistance. However, following the presentation of the U.S. president’s plan for peace in the Gaza Strip, Hamas, while agreeing with the plan in principle, highlighted the need to revise key clauses, effectively outlining the potential boundaries for a ceasefire. Hardliners, who Netanyahu did not invite to a special meeting intended to discuss next steps, criticized the process as “surrender to Israel.”
Israel’s military radio reported, citing senior officials, that Tel Aviv does not interpret Hamas’ statement as agreement with Trump’s plan, although the U.S. president sees it differently. In other words, Trump has presented Israel with one option: to accept Hamas’ statement as a starting point for negotiations.
Following a Hamas delegation visit to Cairo, the first phase of negotiations on the Trump plan for Gaza is set to begin today in Egypt, with the participation of U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser. The Israeli negotiating team will include Strategic Affairs Minister Raan Dermer, Gal Hirsch, head of the prisoners and missing persons portfolio at the Prime Minister’s Office, and a senior officer from Israel’s internal security agency (Shin Bet).
Simultaneously, Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel is preparing for the “immediate implementation” of the first phase of Trump’s plan, which focuses on returning Israeli prisoners and ending hostilities in Gaza. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu held an urgent meeting Friday night without the presence of two hardline ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. Axios journalist Barak Ravid wrote, “Prime Minister Netanyahu was surprised by President Trump’s response to Hamas’ statement.” Other Hebrew media confirmed this, reporting that officials close to Netanyahu view it as a “surrender agreement” because it calls for an immediate ceasefire before prisoner exchanges and does not mention Hamas’ disarmament.
Taha Al-Nounou, Hamas’ media adviser, emphasized that the movement is ready to immediately begin negotiations on prisoner exchanges, ending the war, and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. Senior Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that the group’s priority is stopping the war and killings. He added, “We view the plan positively from this perspective, but its implementation requires detailed understanding and negotiation—it cannot be executed unilaterally.”
Abu Marzouk criticized parts of the proposed plan as unrealistic, such as the 72-hour timeframe for returning prisoners and bodies, calling it theoretical and impractical. He stressed that the U.S. must adopt a positive approach toward the future of the Palestinian people. Regarding Gaza’s governance, he said, “We have agreed nationally on handing Gaza’s administration to independent technocrats under the Palestinian Authority. Shaping the future of the Palestinian people is a national issue; Hamas alone does not make these decisions.”
Hamas has accepted Egypt’s regional and international proposals, which include responses regarding peace and the future. Abu Marzouk emphasized that “Hamas is a national liberation movement, and the definition of ‘terrorism’ in the plan cannot apply to our movement. Weapons will be handed over to the future Palestinian government, and those governing Gaza will retain arms.”
Another senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, told Al-Arabi that Hamas is ready to immediately enter prisoner exchange operations but under no circumstances will accept external management of Gaza. He stressed that negotiations must consider the realities on the ground regarding Israeli prisoners, and the exchange process will take more than 72 hours, achievable only through mutual agreement.
Hamas spokesperson Walid Kilani in Lebanon told RIA Novosti: “Hamas has never considered surrendering its weapons, nor linked consent to the plan to this issue. Our position is clear: as long as the occupation continues, resistance continues. Weapons can only be handed over when a fully sovereign Palestinian state exists with an army capable of protecting its people.”
Kilani emphasized that the main point of Trump’s proposal is a ceasefire in Gaza, while Hamas remains open to dialogue on other conditions. “Our priority is the ceasefire, and other details can be negotiated to reach agreement. The ceasefire agreement also includes clauses preventing the displacement of Palestinians from their lands,” he said. According to Kilani, all Palestinians—not just Hamas—must decide on these matters.
After announcing his plan and receiving Hamas’ response, Trump called on Israel Saturday morning to immediately stop airstrikes on Gaza to ensure the safe release of prisoners. However, Reuters reported that Israeli attacks in various parts of Gaza killed at least six Palestinians—four in Gaza City and two in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. Pakistan welcomed Hamas’ response to Trump’s plan and urged Tel Aviv to immediately halt attacks. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry also noted that Hamas’ reply enables immediate steps toward a ceasefire, uninterrupted humanitarian aid, and sustainable peace, emphasizing that Israel must cease its attacks immediately.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine issued a statement saying that Hamas’ response represents the position of all Palestinian resistance groups. Mohamed Al-Farah, of Yemen’s Ansar Allah political bureau, described it as a responsible response indicating Hamas’ willingness to end the war, alleviate hunger, facilitate prisoner exchanges, and maintain national unity.
The Muslim Brotherhood described Hamas’ stance as humane, national, and responsible. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Hamas’ positive statements on prisoner release and constructive cooperation, stressing that this phase requires the highest level of national responsibility. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, praised Hamas’ readiness as a positive step. She said, “An immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all prisoners is entirely achievable, and we support ongoing efforts to strengthen the two-state solution.” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric called on all parties to seize the opportunity to end the tragic war in Gaza.
