A senior Hamas official said in a recent interview with the BBC that the terror group will reject the Gaza 20-point peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement, which would see the release of the remaining Israeli hostages and disarmament of Hamas as well as an international governing entity in Gaza, has drawn ire from the terrorist group since it will take it out of power, Ynet reports.
However, Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat tells another story. The same senior Hamas official said that he was urging a more “positive” approach to the plan. This is often the playbook for Hamas – framing peace offers that come in as positive, only to have talks collapse with Israeli officials. Other Hamas sources say they’re “confused” by the offer.
According to the BBC, Hamas’ most senior military commander still in Gaza, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, is determined to continue fighting rather than accept Trump’s proposal. The report also said that Hamas officials abroad have recently been sidelined from internal talks because they lack direct control over hostages.
Mediators have urged Hamas to speed up its response within two days. “The issue does not bind the organization, but there is consensus on the need to respond positively to any proposal that ensures a complete end to the war, reconstruction, lifting of the blockade and full Israeli withdrawal,” Hamas sources told Asharq al-Awsat. But while some leaders argue for a positive stance, others see the plan as “misleading,” accusing the U.S. of seeking a political win for Trump while focusing only on the return of hostages, after which the war would resume “by other means.”
There is a lot of talk about post-war changes and policies as Israel begins to corner Hamas in Gaza after two years of fighting since October 7. While we pray for the war to end, it will likely continue if Hamas keeps its hold on Gaza. The Fellowship and our generous supporters will provide the resources for aid and hope for the Holy Land and her people – whatever path this crossroads takes us down.
