Hamas is actively reviewing President Trump’s proposition to conclude the conflict in Gaza, but a senior political figure within the group has made it clear they will not tolerate an ultimatum. The implication is that a ‘take it or leave it’ stance on the deal is unacceptable.
Mohammad Nazzal, a Hamas official, stated in a Thursday interview with Al Jazeera that “Hamas is seriously discussing this plan.” He added that the group is consulting with other Palestinian factions and will soon announce its official position.
Mr. Nazzal indicated that Hamas has “comments” on the proposed framework and is seeking “gray areas” within it that could be negotiated. The comprehensive 20-point proposal outlines conditions including Hamas’s release of all Israeli hostages, the group’s disarmament, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Following his public presentation of the plan, Mr. Trump informed reporters in Washington that he had given Hamas a window of “three or four days” to issue their response.
This week, officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey engaged in discussions with Hamas negotiators concerning Mr. Trump’s plan. These sensitive details were shared by two officials, who requested anonymity.
The group’s impending decision carries immense weight for both Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the Israeli hostages still held captive, all of whom have endured unimaginable suffering through nearly two years of conflict.
An acceptance of the agreement could immediately halt the fighting, while any other response risks prolonging the devastating war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced strong support for the plan. He told reporters on Monday that if Hamas declines the proposal, Israel would proceed with its military campaign in Gaza and “finish the job by itself.”
Palestinian analysts suggest that Hamas finds itself in a precarious position, obligated to respond to a plan that has created divisions among its own supporters.
“Rejecting the plan would give the appearance of justifying the ongoing war,” remarked Esmat Mansour, a Palestinian analyst who previously shared time in Israeli prison with Hamas leaders. “Conversely, accepting it would be tantamount to agreeing to its own downfall.” He further suggested that President Trump might not be open to significant modifications of the proposal.
Indeed, some Hamas officials have already expressed views indicating their opposition to Mr. Trump’s framework.
“Despite the genocidal acts carried out by this criminal enemy, this resistance will persist until our people achieve their aspirations and goals,” Abdel Jabbar Saeed, a Hamas official based in Qatar, posted on social media Thursday.
It is important to note that there are diverse viewpoints within Hamas, with some factions holding more hard-line stances than others.
“Accepting the ‘Trump’ plan signifies political suicide that will eradicate the Palestinian cause,” declared Belal Rayan, the son of a prominent hard-line Hamas leader killed by Israel in 2009, in a recent post on X.
However, some analysts, including Mr. Mansour, speculate that Hamas’s leadership might ultimately agree to the plan’s core terms, even if it implies a de facto concession of defeat. Should this occur, Mr. Mansour believes Hamas would insist on a definitive timeline for Israel’s military withdrawal and the cessation of hostilities.
“They no longer have many options to lean on,” he commented. “They might be looking for a way to step back from the brink.”
Liam Stack contributed to this report.