Hamas accepts some terms of Trump’s Gaza deal, including hostage release
Hamas has agreed to “some elements” of President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, according to a statement from the terror group. The 20-point plan was announced on Monday when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House.
While the full details of what the militant group agreed to are not known, the reports did confirm that it included the release of all remaining hostages. However, they did say that other details would require further negotiations.
Earlier on Friday, Trump said that if the group didn’t agree to the proposal by Sunday evening, “all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out.”
Following Hamas’ announcement, Trump released a statement on Truth Social saying he believes they are ready for “lasting PEACE.” He also said that Israel must “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza” so that hostages can get out safely.
What did Hamas say about the agreement?
Hamas’ statement said it would release all hostages “according to the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s proposal, provided that the conditions necessary for the exchange are secured.” However, Hamas senior official Mousa Abu Marzouk said it would take longer than 72 hours to release the living hostages and the remains of those deceased. He claimed the deadline was unrealistic under the current circumstances.
The militant group gave mediators its response and said it would approve transferring the power of the Gaza Strip over to a Palestinian governing body that would be elected “based on Palestinian national consensus and with Arab and Islamic support.” Hamas also promised that it would turn over its weapons at the same time.
Hamas stated that other issues in Trump’s plan would be discussed in a “unified Palestinian national framework in which Hamas will participate and contribute responsibly.”
The terror group had previously expressed reservations about certain aspects of the plan, including relinquishing its weapons.
What is the 20-point plan?
The plan announced Monday and agreed on by Netanyahu shows ways to end the war in Gaza. It addresses several topics but mainly talks about Israel immediately ceasing all military operations and eventually withdrawing from Gaza entirely. It also states that Hamas will lay down their arms and all of its infrastructure will be destroyed.
These are the following 20 points in the plan:
- Gaza will become a deradicalized, terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
- Gaza will be redeveloped for the people of Gaza.
- If both sides agree to the plan, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed-upon line to prepare for hostage release. During this time, all military operations will be suspended.
- Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting the agreement, all hostages, alive and dead, will be returned.
- Once released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1.700 Gazans who were detained after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.
- Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful existence and decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Those who wish to leave Gaza will be given safe passage.
- Upon acceptance of the plan, full aid will be immediately sent to Gaza.
- Entry of distribution and aid into Gaza will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, along with the Red Crescent.
- Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee. An international transitional body called the “Board of Peace,” headed by Trump, will supervise this committee.
- A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped build cities in the Middle East in the past.
- A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated.
- No one will be forced to leave Gaza. Those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. The plan encourages people to stay and offers them the chance to build a better Gaza.
- Hamas and other factions agree not to have any role in Gaza’s government. All Hamas infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons production sites, will be destroyed.
- A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas and the factions comply with their obligations.
- The U.S. will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy to Gaza. The group will train vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza.
- Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control of the region, the Israeli Defense Forces will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the United States. The plan states that the IDF will progressively hand over Gaza territory to the ISF until they are completely withdrawn.
- If Hamas delays or rejects the proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF.
- An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence to change the mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.
- While Gaza redevelopment and when the PA reform program are carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
- The U.S. will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence.
This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
