How Hamas frames engagement with Trump’s Gaza proposal to retain influence

Hamas has signalled a tentative and conditional approach to US President Donald Trump’s latest Gaza peace proposal, laying out a framework that emphasises Palestinian agency while carefully delineating the boundaries of its commitment.

The statement, issued on Friday, highlighted the group’s effort to balance international diplomacy without compromising its strategic priorities.

The Islamic Resistance Movement welcomed the efforts of the United States, Arab nations, and international actors aimed at ending the conflict. Central to Hamas’s response were calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza, the release and exchange of prisoners, urgent humanitarian assistance and a firm rejection of occupation or the forced displacement of Palestinians.

“We value the efforts made by the Arab, Islamic, and international parties, as well as those of the US President, calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip,” Hamas stated, emphasising the role of multilateral diplomacy in shaping the conflict’s resolution.

Conditional prisoner exchange

A key component of Trump’s proposal involves a prisoner exchange, and Hamas expressed its conditional approval. The movement indicated that it would release all Israeli prisoners, living and deceased, under the agreed formula, provided the “necessary field conditions” for implementation were secured. This phrasing underscores Hamas’s insistence on procedural safeguards and its need to maintain leverage in ongoing negotiations.

The group also confirmed its willingness to engage immediately with mediators to discuss the logistics of the exchange. Analysts suggest this signals a tactical openness to Trump’s plan, while leaving space for Hamas to shape the negotiation process on its own terms.

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Governance of Gaza

Beyond immediate security and humanitarian concerns, Hamas addressed the future governance of Gaza. The group reaffirmed its approval of transferring authority to an independent Palestinian administration, described as a technocratic entity backed by Arab and Islamic states.

This represents a subtle acknowledgment of the international community’s role in overseeing Gaza’s administration, while allowing Hamas to maintain influence through participation in the process.

The statement further indicated that issues relating to broader Palestinian rights and the long-term future of Gaza would be addressed through an inclusive national framework aligned with international law.

Hamas emphasised its full participation in such a framework, signalling a willingness to engage with other Palestinian factions while retaining its strategic objectives.

Analysing Hamas’s approach

Observers note that Hamas’s response reflects a careful balancing act. By framing its engagement as conditional, the movement is able to appear cooperative to international audiences, while safeguarding its core political and military interests.

The insistence on field conditions, procedural guarantees, and adherence to international law demonstrates an attempt to control the pace and scope of implementation.

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The response also highlights Hamas’s diplomatic acumen. By publicly approving aspects of Trump’s plan, the group positions itself as a pragmatic actor willing to negotiate, while simultaneously asserting that ultimate compliance is contingent on security assurances. This dual approach allows Hamas to maintain credibility both with its constituents in Gaza and with the wider Arab and Islamic world.

Next steps

The international community, including the United States, will now need to work closely with mediators to translate the plan from proposal to actionable steps. The success of the initiative will depend on the ability of all parties to meet Hamas’s conditions, implement safeguards, and manage the complex humanitarian and political realities on the ground.

For the time being, Hamas’s response signals cautious engagement rather than outright acceptance. It demonstrates an awareness that while international backing and US involvement are valuable, the movement retains decisive influence over the fate of Gaza’s governance, humanitarian access, and security arrangements.