Hamas said Friday it could accept parts of a Trump administration peace deal to end the war in Gaza, including the release of Israeli hostages living and dead.
First reported by The Associated Press, the White House subsequently released the response on social media platform X.
This is the first public response since President Trump laid out a Sunday deadline that promised “HELL” if Hamas rejected the deal.
Hamas said other elements of Trump’s 20-point peace plan would require further consultation, The Associated Press reported.
But the U.S.-designated terrorist group qualified its response to Trump’s demand to lay down arms and give up power, which could present a major obstacle to securing the ceasefire and securing the release of the hostages.
Hamas, in its response, reiterated its longstanding openness to handing power over to a politically independent Palestinian body. Trump’s plan calls for a local government made up of Palestinian bureaucrats but overseen by an international “Board of Peace,” to include Trump as chairman and the involvement of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Trump’s plan envisions the Palestinian Authority, the governing body in the West Bank, assuming control over Gaza only after radical reforms.
Hamas further said in its response that aspects of the proposal touching on the future of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous Palestinian stance” reached with other factions and based on international law.
“Hamas will be included and will contribute will full responsibility,” the group said in its statement, according to The White House post.
The Hill has reached out to Hamas but did not receive an immediate response. A request for comment from Israel was also not immediately answered. The White House was also contacted for comment.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a photograph of Trump speaking in the Oval Office on X shortly after 4:30 p.m. EST, writing, “Behind the Scenes in the Oval Office: President Trump responds to Hamas’ acceptance of his Peace Plan. Stay tuned!”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close Trump ally and hawkish defender of Israel, warned Hamas’s response came with conditions.
“Hamas’ recent response to President Trump’s plan to end the war — which Israel had accepted — is unfortunately predictable. A classic ‘Yes, but,’” Graham posted on X
“No disarmament, keeping Gaza under Palestinian control, and tying hostage release to negotiations, along with other problems. This is, in essence, a rejection by Hamas of President Trump’s ‘take it or leave it’ proposal.”
Trump on Friday demanded Hamas accepts the full proposal and a deadline of Sunday at 6 p.m. Washington time to receive a response. He warned he would give Israel a green light to scale up its military offensive in the strip, which is currently focused on a full assault on Gaza City.
Trump’s 20-point plan, unveiled on Monday, demands Hamas lay down its arms and enter into an immediate ceasefire with Israel. Hamas fighters who renounce fighting and wish to remain in Gaza will be granted amnesty, while others can take advantage of safe passage to third countries.
Trump had given Hamas has 72 hours to hand over hostages it kidnapped from Israel during its Oct 7, 2023, terrorist attack. This is said to include 20 living and the bodies of 28 deceased hostages.
Israel is also set to release Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, as part of the truce and in return for hostages.
A ceasefire respected by both sides would also allow for a surge of humanitarian support into the strip, where nearly two million Palestinians are enduring immense hardship, hunger and displacement.
Updated: 5:11 p.m. EDT
Source: The Hill