Hamas Signals It May Reject Trump’s Gaza Peace Deal | World News

US President Donald Trump (Image Credit: Reuters)

Hamas has suggested it may reject US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, arguing that the proposal is heavily skewed in Israel’s favor and fails to meet Palestinian demands. A senior Hamas official told the BBC that the group had serious concerns with several of the plan’s 20 conditions for ending the war- including a demand that Hamas disarm and dismantle its weapons stockpile, as well as the deployment of an International Stabilization Force in Gaza.

The official said the plan “only serves Israel’s interests and ignores the Palestinian people.” Hamas has not yet issued a formal response, though Israel accepted the terms earlier this week. Presented by Donald Trump as a breakthrough framework, the deal now faces its first major test: whether Hamas will accept it- a crucial step for any progress.

Donald Trump’s Warning

Donald Trump has given Hamas “three or four days” to accept the agreement or face what he called “a very sad end.” He said, “We’re just waiting for Hamas. There’s not much room for negotiations.”

The plan requires Hamas to agree to an immediate cease-fire, the release of all remaining hostages, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, Hamas’s complete disarmament and the creation of a transitional government led by an international body. While Hamas has shown some willingness to discuss individual provisions, it has consistently rejected calls for demilitarization without a clear pathway to Palestinian statehood.

What Mediators Are Saying

Arab mediators struck a more hopeful note, telling the Wall Street Journal that Hamas appeared open to the deal in principle but had asked for more time due to specific reservations. They warned that loopholes in the framework could allow Israel to resume military operations with ease, undermining the ceasefire.

“Accepting the plan is a disaster, rejecting it is another- there are only bitter choices here. But the plan is a Netanyahu plan articulated by Trump,” a Palestinian official familiar with Hamas’ deliberations told Reuters, adding, “Hamas is keen to end the war and end the genocide, and it will respond in the way that serves the higher interests of the Palestinian people.”

Israel’s Position

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally backed Donald Trump’s proposal amid growing public pressure to secure the release of hostages and bring the months-long conflict in Gaza to a close.

First Published:

October 01, 2025, 19:24 IST