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Hamas Tentatively Accepts U.S. Ceasefire Plan
Hamas announced that it will accept parts of the 20-point peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, particularly the clause to release all Israeli hostages — alive and dead. The group, however, said it would seek further talks on other terms, such as Israeli military withdrawal and the future governance of Gaza.
U.S. Reaction
President Trump ordered Israel to halt bombings in Gaza to facilitate hostage releases, citing Hamas’s conditional acceptance as justification. He also set a deadline of Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, warning that failure to agree would bring severe consequences.
Israeli Position
Israel cautiously welcomed the framework’s first phase but remained firm that Hamas must not play a governing role in Gaza. The Israeli leadership has prepared to implement the initial steps, though internal divisions and security demands pose hurdles.
Mediation Efforts
Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. played key mediation roles in shaping the plan. The framework envisions a phased implementation: hostage release, disarmament or transformation of militant forces, Israeli troop withdrawal, and humanitarian aid entry. However, the lack of clarity on a Palestinian state and unresolved security guarantees have drawn criticism.
Challenges Ahead
Analysts say the deal’s biggest test will be compliance and enforcement. Hamas’s insistence on retaining arms and Israel’s demand for disarmament remain core obstacles. Also, many Palestinians and neighboring states remain excluded from final negotiation phases, raising questions about democratic legitimacy and long-term viability.
