Hamas Conditionally Accepts Trump’s Gaza Ceasefire Plan
Hamas announced on Friday that it would accept President Trump’s 20‑point ceasefire and peace proposal — conditionally, with firm demands that could delay a swift resolution to the conflict. =
Terms, Tensions, and the Deal’s Fragile Edge
Under the proposal, Hamas has agreed “to release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula,” contingent on “field conditions” being met. The group also signaled readiness to enter negotiations via mediators such as Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S.
However, Hamas insists that any lasting deal must address how Gaza will be governed and allow a future role for Hamas within a unified Palestinian framework. This conflicts with Trump’s plan, which calls for total disarmament of Hamas and excludes it from Gaza’s future leadership, handing interim governance to an international board and ultimately to the West Bank–based Palestinian Authority.
On its part, Israel has not publicly responded to Hamas’s statement.The Hostage Families Forum urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to engage in immediate, efficient negotiations, while opposition leader Yair Lapid called for closing the “final details” of the exchange.
The Stakes and Challenges Ahead
Trump framed his call for an immediate Israel ceasefire as essential to freeing hostages safely, warning that further bombing would make rescue operations too dangerous. Despite this, his proposal lacks defined timelines: the map showing Israel’s phased withdrawal includes no dates or conditions.
The plan was devised largely without direct Palestinian input, prompting frustration among Arab officials who felt sidelined as last‑minute changes were made.Meanwhile, Hamas has long stated that giving up its weapons is a red line, and it has insisted it will not release hostages unless Israel completely withdraws and ensures the war won’t resume.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, the Qatari prime minister said Israel’s withdrawal “requires further work” and must be negotiated — a signal there’s still a long road ahead to a credible, stable ceasefire.
What to Watch
- Whether mediators can bridge the gap between Hamas’s conditions and Trump’s nonnegotiable clauses
- Israel’s formal reaction and whether it will agree to timelines for withdrawal
- The fate of hostages still held in Gaza
- The prospects for Hamas having any recognized role in Gaza’s postconflict governance

