 "Hamas responded on Friday to President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza's future, including ending Israel's war in the enclave. Image courtesy: Reuters, AFP")
Washington’s latest push to end the Gaza war has yielded a partial breakthrough as Hamas has signalled its conditional acceptance of key elements of Trump’s Gaza plan, including ending Israel’s war in the enclave.
Unveiled earlier this week at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the 20-point plan won cautious backing from Israel and faced its first real test with Hamas.
The Palestinian militant group has agreed to several central demands, including Israel’s withdrawal, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives and aid and recovery efforts, but significant disagreements remain over governance and its own future role.
Hamas, for its part, says it’s open to further negotiation, keeping hopes for progress alive, at least for now.
Here’s a closer look at where the group says yes, and where it balks
What Hamas has agreed to
Release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives
Hamas said it would release Israeli hostages in Gaza both living and dead “according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.”
It did not specify what it meant by “necessary field conditions.” The militant group said it was ready to immediately have talks through mediators to discuss further details.
The Trump plan says all hostages will be returned by Hamas “within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement.”
Trump’s proposal said that, thereafter, Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, plus 1,700 Gazans arrested since October 7, 2023, including all women and children. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 dead Gazans, the Trump plan says.
Ceasefire, end of war and Israeli withdrawal
Hamas said it accepted the framework of an end to the war and Israel’s “full withdrawal” from the enclave. Hamas’ statement did not note any different stages of Israel’s withdrawal and said it rejected Israeli occupation.
The Trump plan said “Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release.” It said that during that time, Israel’s military assault, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and “battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.”
Aid, recovery and no Palestinian expulsion
On humanitarian relief, Hamas has welcomed Trump’s proposal to pour fresh aid into Gaza, emphasising that the plan does not call for Palestinians to be expelled from their homes.
According to the Trump plan, shipments of food, medical supplies, and reconstruction materials would begin immediately, in line with the January 19 agreement.
This includes repairing hospitals and bakeries, clearing rubble, and reopening roads, with deliveries overseen by the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other international bodies.
Hamas also underlined its rejection of any forced displacement. Trump’s proposal states that “no one will be forced to leave” Gaza, adding that those who choose to leave temporarily will have the right to return. The plan even encourages Palestinians to remain in the enclave.
Meanwhile, the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border would be opened in both directions, following the same mechanism agreed to in January 2025.
Where Hamas and Trump’s plan diverges
Foreign involvement in Gaza’s interim governance
One of the most contentious parts of Trump’s proposal is how Gaza would be governed once the fighting ends.
According to the plan, a temporary technocratic committee made up of Palestinians and international experts would run Gaza.
This body would be overseen by a new international authority called the “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump himself, with other global figures, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, expected to join. The aim, the plan says, is to set up modern and efficient governance that can attract international investment.
Hamas, however, has its own vision. The group said it is willing to hand over administration to an independent Palestinian body of technocrats, but only if it is rooted in national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic support. Hamas has previously floated similar proposals for a handover.
Notably, Hamas did not address another element of Trump’s plan — the deployment of a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF).
The ISF would work alongside Arab partners, training and supporting vetted Palestinian police units. It would also coordinate with Israel, Egypt, Jordan and other regional players to secure Gaza’s borders and manage internal security in the longer term.
Hamas having no role in Gaza’s future
The Trump plan said Hamas will “agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form.” The plan also said there will be a “process of demilitarisation of Gaza.”
It adds, “All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt.”
Hamas maintained in its response that the militant group sees itself as part of a “comprehensive Palestinian national framework.” Its Friday statement did not comment on demilitarising. It has previously rejected such calls.
“This is tied to a collective national position and in accordance with relevant international laws and resolutions, to be discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian national framework, in which Hamas will be included and will contribute with full responsibility,” Hamas said on Friday.
The Hamas statement did not comment on the proposal in the Trump plan to give amnesty and safe passage to other countries for Hamas members who “decommission” their weapons.
With input from Reuters and AFP