Hamas leadership is currently scrutinizing President Trump’s proposed framework to conclude the conflict in Gaza, a senior political figure within the group stated. However, he emphasized that they would not be pressured into accepting a ‘take it or leave it’ ultimatum.
Mohammad Nazzal, the Hamas official, conveyed in a Thursday interview that the organization is ‘discussing this plan with seriousness.’ He added that consultations are underway with other Palestinian factions, and their final stance will be revealed shortly.
Nazzal indicated that Hamas has ‘comments’ on the proposal and is actively seeking ‘gray areas’ that could allow for negotiation. The 20-point proposal outlines key conditions, including the release of all Israeli hostages by Hamas, the group’s disarmament, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Following the public disclosure of his proposal, President Trump informed reporters in Washington that he had given Hamas a tight deadline of ‘three or four days’ to issue their response.
This week, high-level discussions regarding Trump’s plan took place between Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish officials and Hamas negotiators. Two sources familiar with the confidential talks confirmed these meetings.
Hamas’s decision on this proposal carries immense weight, with significant consequences for both the Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the Israeli hostages who have endured nearly two years of grueling conflict.
Should the deal be accepted, it could lead to an immediate cessation of hostilities. Conversely, any rejection or counter-proposal risks extending the protracted conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already voiced his support for the plan. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he asserted that if Hamas fails to accept the terms, Israel will press on with its Gaza campaign to ‘finish the job by itself.’
According to Palestinian analysts, Hamas faces a precarious situation, as the proposed plan has caused significant rifts among its own supporters, compelling the group to navigate a challenging response.
Esmat Mansour, a Palestinian analyst with previous ties to Hamas leaders during his time in Israeli prison, observed that ‘rejecting the plan will make it look like it is justifying the continuation of the war.’ He further noted that ‘accepting it will be tantamount to signing on to its demise,’ implying a potential end to the group’s current standing. However, Mansour suggested that President Trump might not be open to significant modifications of the proposal.
Indeed, several Hamas officials have publicly expressed sentiments that suggest opposition to President Trump’s peace initiative.
Abdel Jabbar Saeed, a Qatar-based Hamas official, posted on social media Thursday: ‘Despite the criminal extermination being carried out by this criminal enemy, this resistance will continue to exist until our people achieve their goals and desires.’
Internal divisions within Hamas are evident, with some factions adopting a more hard-line stance than others regarding the peace proposal.
This week, Belal Rayan, whose hard-line Hamas leader father was killed by Israel in 2009, wrote on X that ‘Accepting the ‘Trump’ plan means political suicide that will destroy the Palestinian cause.’
However, some analysts, including Mansour, suggest that Hamas’s leadership might still consider accepting the core tenets of the plan, even if it implies a de facto concession of defeat. If this path is taken, Mansour believes Hamas would likely insist on a precise timeline for Israel’s military withdrawal and the definitive end to the conflict.
‘They don’t have much to rely on anymore,’ he concluded, suggesting that Hamas ‘might be looking to climb down the tree.’