Hamas Willing to Release Hostages Under Trump’s Proposal

Palestinian militant group Hamas has expressed readiness to release all hostages held in Gaza as part of a ceasefire proposal put forth by former US President Donald Trump. In an official statement, Hamas announced, “The movement announces its approval for the release of all hostages—living and remains—according to the exchange formula included in President Trump’s proposal.” The group indicated its willingness to enter negotiations to discuss the specifics of the release.

Trump’s proposal includes a deadline of 10:00 PM GMT on Sunday, which corresponds to 11:00 AM NZT on Monday, for Hamas to accept the terms of his 20-point plan for peace in Gaza. The former president warned that failure to agree would result in “all hell” breaking loose against Hamas. The deadline falls at 1:00 AM Monday local time in Gaza.

The proposal, which has received backing from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outlines a ceasefire and mandates the release of hostages within 72 hours. It also calls for Hamas to disarm and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, leading to a post-war transitional authority potentially led by Trump himself. An unnamed Hamas official disclosed that the group is still in consultation regarding the plan and requires additional time to consider it.

Ongoing Conflict and Casualty Reports

On the ground, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported heavy Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling, with at least 11 fatalities across the territory, including eight in Gaza City. The Israeli military has been conducting an extensive offensive in Gaza City, which has resulted in mass displacement, forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate.

The UN has reiterated that there are no safe zones in Gaza and that areas designated by Israel are “places of death.” UNICEF spokesman James Elder described the situation as dire, stating, “The notion of a safe zone in the south is farcical.” Amnesty International condemned the ongoing violence, highlighting a “catastrophic wave of mass displacement” affecting many Palestinians who are now living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to essential services.

As the conflict approaches its two-year mark, protests have erupted globally, particularly in response to Israel’s interception of a flotilla carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid. The organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla reported that their last remaining boat had been stopped, and Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the deportation of four Italian participants.

Internal Divisions Within Hamas

While Hamas considers Trump’s peace proposal, there appears to be a division within its leadership regarding the plan. A source close to the group indicated that some leaders are advocating for unconditional acceptance of the proposal to prioritize a ceasefire, while others express significant reservations, particularly concerning the disarmament clause.

Negotiations are complicated by the structural division within Hamas, with leadership split between officials in Gaza and those based in Qatar. The ongoing conflict has also decimated much of the group’s leadership due to Israeli military actions. An internal source revealed differing opinions, stating, “The first supports unconditional approval, as the priority is a ceasefire under Trump’s guarantees, with mediators ensuring Israel implements the plan. The second has serious reservations regarding key clauses and prefers conditional approval that reflects Hamas’s and other resistance factions’ demands.”

Political analysts, such as Hugh Lovatt from the European Council on Foreign Relations, emphasized the challenge of convincing both the leadership in Doha and Gaza, as well as other factions within the territory, to unify behind a single stance.

The current escalation follows Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties, including 1,219 fatalities, predominantly civilians, according to Israeli official figures. In retaliation, Israeli military actions have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 66,288 Palestinians, many of whom are women and children, according to health ministry data from the Hamas-run territory.

As the situation evolves, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, with the hope that a resolution can be reached to end the ongoing conflict.