Hamas to Respond “Soon” to Trump’s Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Amid International Pressure

An official from Hamas says the Palestinian group will respond “soon” to United States President Donald Trump’s proposal to end Israel’s nearly two-year war on Gaza. This development comes as international mediators and leaders intensify efforts to secure the deal.

Hamas political bureau member Mohammed Nazzal told Al Jazeera Arabic on Thursday that the group was discussing Trump’s plan with the goal of stopping Israel’s war on Gaza and would soon announce its position on the proposal. Nazzal said Hamas, as representatives of the Palestinian resistance, has a right to express its views “in a way that serves the interests” of the Palestinian people, adding, “We are not dealing [with the plan] under the logic that time is a sword pointed at our neck.”

Details of the US Proposal

Earlier this week, the White House unveiled a 20-point document that outlines a path to peace. The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of captives held by Hamas for Palestinian political prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas disarmament, and a transitional government led by an international body. President Trump gave Hamas three to four days to agree to the plan.

While Palestinians long for the war to end, many believe the plan heavily favours Israel. In previous negotiations, Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli withdrawal from the famine-struck enclave and said it was seeking a permanent ceasefire, with guarantees that displaced families can return to their homes, particularly in the north of Gaza, where Israeli forces are intensifying attacks.

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Egyptian and International Mediation Efforts

Egypt’s foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, confirmed earlier on Thursday that his country was working with Qatar and Turkiye to convince Hamas to accept Trump’s proposal.

Speaking in Paris, Abdelatty stated it was clear that Hamas had to disarm, ensuring Israel should not be given an excuse to carry on with its assault on Gaza.

“Let’s not give any excuse for one party to use Hamas as a pretext for this mad daily killings of civilians. What’s happening is far beyond the seventh of October,” he said, referring to the Palestinian group’s 2023 attack on Israel. The Palestinian Health Ministry says Israel’s offensive on Gaza has killed more than 66,000 people, mostly women and children. Abdelatty concluded: “It is beyond revenge. This is ethnic cleansing and genocide in motion. So enough is enough.”

The foreign minister said Cairo was coordinating with Qatar and Turkiye to convince Hamas to respond positively, but remained cautious. “If Hamas refuse, you know, then it would be very difficult. And of course, we will have more escalation,” he noted, underscoring the intensive efforts to make the plan applicable.

Governance and Security Concerns

Abdelatty said while he was broadly supportive of the proposal, more talks were needed on specific elements. “There are a lot of holes that need to be filled; we need more discussions on how to implement it, especially on two important issues – governance and security arrangements,” he said.

Addressing fears of forced displacement, he firmly stated, “Displacement will not happen, it will not happen because displacement means the end of the Palestinian cause. We will not allow this to happen under any circumstances.”

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Pressure from the US and EU

The White House has maintained strong pressure, stressing that the US president could impose consequences if the group does not accept his proposal. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a “red line that the president of the United States is going to have to draw.”

Additionally, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, called on Hamas to accept the proposal, urging the group to “release all remaining hostages and lay down its arms.” Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin said Russia was willing to support the plan, but only if it leads to a two-state solution.

Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s foreign minister, told the AFP news agency that Hamas “has lost” and “must accept its own surrender.” The proposal outlines amnesty for Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and relinquish their weapons, while those who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

Political analyst Xavier Abu Eid noted that the move echoes past Western attempts to reshape the Middle East without local input. He called the involvement of figures such as Tony Blair in Trump’s proposal “concerning” for many in the region.

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