A senior Hamas figure has told the BBC that the group is likely to reject Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza, saying it 'serves Israel's interests' and 'ignores those of the Palestinian people.' The figure confirmed that Hamas is unlikely to agree to disarming and handing over their weapons – a key condition of Trump's plan. Furthermore, Hamas objects to the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, viewing it as a new form of occupation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted Trump's plan during White House talks. However, Hamas has yet to provide an official response. Qatar's foreign ministry mentioned that Hamas is examining the proposal 'responsibly.' A senior Palestinian official indicated that discussions involve both Hamas's leadership within and outside Gaza.
Hamas's military commander in the territory, Ez al-Din al-Haddad, seems determined to keep fighting instead of accepting the proposal. There's growing discontent among Hamas figures outside Gaza who have found themselves sidelined in negotiations due to their lack of direct control over hostages.
The expectation is that Hamas talks will take several days and include other Palestinian factions. Notably, the armed group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which participated in an earlier attack, has already rejected the plan.
A critical sticking point for Hamas is that the proposal requires them to release all hostages at once, effectively giving up their bargaining chip. Recent military actions by Israel have raised doubts about their intentions, especially after an attempted assassination of Hamas leadership in Doha.
Concerns also arise over a proposed buffer zone along Gaza’s southern border as indicated in a map shared by the Trump administration. It's uncertain how this zone would be managed, but if Israel is involved, it could become contentious.
Since agreeing to the plan, Netanyahu has pushed back on several outlined terms while emphasizing military retention in parts of Gaza. Despite the turmoil, some Palestinians expressed support for the plan, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing conflict. As one resident noted, they would support any proposal to stop the war, despite acknowledging the plan might not align with their aspirations.
The humanitarian crisis continues, with the Israeli military having launched a campaign in response to a Hamas-led attack that resulted in significant casualties. Recent reports indicate a staggering death toll among Gazans, and concerns over famine have surfaced. Calls for a ceasefire have become increasingly desperate among the population, emphasizing the need for immediate action amidst the chaos.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted Trump's plan during White House talks. However, Hamas has yet to provide an official response. Qatar's foreign ministry mentioned that Hamas is examining the proposal 'responsibly.' A senior Palestinian official indicated that discussions involve both Hamas's leadership within and outside Gaza.
Hamas's military commander in the territory, Ez al-Din al-Haddad, seems determined to keep fighting instead of accepting the proposal. There's growing discontent among Hamas figures outside Gaza who have found themselves sidelined in negotiations due to their lack of direct control over hostages.
The expectation is that Hamas talks will take several days and include other Palestinian factions. Notably, the armed group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which participated in an earlier attack, has already rejected the plan.
A critical sticking point for Hamas is that the proposal requires them to release all hostages at once, effectively giving up their bargaining chip. Recent military actions by Israel have raised doubts about their intentions, especially after an attempted assassination of Hamas leadership in Doha.
Concerns also arise over a proposed buffer zone along Gaza’s southern border as indicated in a map shared by the Trump administration. It's uncertain how this zone would be managed, but if Israel is involved, it could become contentious.
Since agreeing to the plan, Netanyahu has pushed back on several outlined terms while emphasizing military retention in parts of Gaza. Despite the turmoil, some Palestinians expressed support for the plan, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing conflict. As one resident noted, they would support any proposal to stop the war, despite acknowledging the plan might not align with their aspirations.
The humanitarian crisis continues, with the Israeli military having launched a campaign in response to a Hamas-led attack that resulted in significant casualties. Recent reports indicate a staggering death toll among Gazans, and concerns over famine have surfaced. Calls for a ceasefire have become increasingly desperate among the population, emphasizing the need for immediate action amidst the chaos.
