Hamas has split over Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, demanding guarantees before accepting it, while Israel and Muslim states weigh the plan amid a brutal war.
Factional Division in Hamas
According to BBC, Hamas demands total disarmament and surrender of weapons—conditions it will not accept. It also opposes the planned deployment of International Stabilization Forces in Gaza, which it views as a new form of occupation. Hamas refuses to release all hostages simultaneously, as this would eliminate its bargaining power. Times of Israel reports internal disagreement: one faction backs the plan regardless of conditions, seeking a cease‑fire guarantee from Donald Trump; another cautions about disarmament and the removal of Hamas members while seeing the plan as legitimizing occupation.
Wall Street Journal notes Hamas is “open” to the proposal amid mounting pressure from Muslim‑majority states.
Demand for International Guarantees
AFP reports Hamas negotiators are in talks with Turkish, Egyptian and Qatari representatives and need 2–3 days to discuss sensitive points. Leaders seek guarantees of a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas officials have told Saudi Arabia’s *Asharq Al‑Awsat* that a positive answer to Trump’s plan is crucial to ending the war. Saudi station Al‑Hadath says Hamas demands a clear timetable for Israeli exit and rejects any international governance of Gaza.
Netanyahu’s Support and Palestinian Doubts
Donald Trump unveiled the plan with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who initially praised it but later said Israel would not fully withdraw from Gaza and would resist Palestinian statehood. The announcement contradicts the US proposal of a complete Israeli pull‑out and the opening of a path to Palestinian sovereignty. In Gaza some residents support the plan for its potential to end the conflict. A high‑ranking Hamas spokesperson told the BBC that the organization would probably reject Trump’s proposal, claiming it serves Israeli interests and ignores Palestinian national interests.
War and Humanitarian Catastrophe
Since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 people and abducted over 250, the Israeli army has launched an offensive in Gaza. Israel’s Ministry of Health reports more than 66 000 Palestinians dead. International organisations warn of famine and a humanitarian disaster.
In August the UN confirmed a famine in Gaza, and a special committee accused Israel of genocide—charges that Israel rejects.