By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Hamas responded on Friday to President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza’s future, including ending Israel’s war in the enclave.
The Palestinian militant group accepted certain key parts of the Trump plan, including ending the war, Israel’s withdrawal, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives, aid and recovery efforts, and an opposition to Palestinian expulsion from the territory.
There were apparent differences in Hamas’ statement and Trump’s plan on the future of Gaza’s governance and Hamas’ own involvement in the territory’s future. Hamas said it sought further talks.
A comparison of Hamas’ statement with Trump’s plan is below:
WHAT DOES HAMAS SAY IT IS OPEN TO ACCEPTING IN TRUMP’S PLAN?
Release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives:
Hamas said it would release Israeli hostages in Gaza both living and dead “according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump’s proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange.”
It did not specify what it meant by “necessary field conditions.” The militant group said it was ready to immediately have talks through mediators to discuss further details.
The Trump plan says all hostages will be returned by Hamas “within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement.”
Trump’s proposal said that thereafter, Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, plus 1,700 Gazans arrested since October 7, 2023, including all women and children. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 dead Gazans, the Trump plan says.
Ceasefire, end of war and Israeli withdrawal:
Hamas said it accepted the framework of an end to the war and Israel’s “full withdrawal” from the enclave. Hamas’ statement did not note any different stages of Israel’s withdrawal and said it rejected Israeli occupation.
The Trump plan said “Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release.” It said that during that time, Israel’s military assault, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and “battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.”
Aid, recovery and no Palestinian expulsion:
Hamas welcomed that Trump’s plan urged a surge in aid into Gaza while not calling for Palestinians to be expelled from the territory.
The Trump plan said aid will be immediately sent into Gaza in quantities consistent with a January 19 agreement. It would also involve rehabilitation of infrastructure, hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads. Aid will proceed through the United Nations, the Red Crescent and other international institutions under the plan.
Hamas said it rejected Palestinian displacement from Gaza. The Trump plan said that “no one will be forced to leave” and those who wish to leave will be free to return. The Trump plan encouraged Palestinians to stay in Gaza.
WHERE DOES HAMAS APPEAR TO BE AT ODDS WITH TRUMP PLAN?
Foreign involvement in Gaza’s interim governance:
The Trump plan said “Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee,” though it does not identify any Palestinian individual or group by name as being involved in the transition.
The Trump plan says the panel would be supervised by a new international transitional body that Trump would head and which would include other members, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Hamas said it would agree to hand over Gaza’s administration “to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing.” Hamas has previously offered to hand over Gaza’s administration to a different body.
Hamas did not comment on the proposed deployment of a “temporary International Stabilisation Force” in Gaza under the Trump plan for which the U.S. will work with Arab partners.
Hamas having no role in Gaza’s future:
The Trump plan said Hamas will “agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form.” The plan also said there will be a “process of demilitarisation of Gaza.”
Hamas maintained in its response that the militant group sees itself as part of a “comprehensive Palestinian national framework.” Its Friday statement did not comment on demilitarizing. It has previously rejected such calls.
“This is tied to a collective national position and in accordance with relevant international laws and resolutions, to be discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian national framework, in which Hamas will be included and will contribute with full responsibility,” Hamas said on Friday.
The Hamas statement did not comment on the proposal in the Trump plan to give amnesty and safe passage to other countries for Hamas members who “decommission” their weapons.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington)
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