DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY,
Palestinian group says it is ready to release all Israeli captives held in Gaza after US president issues ultimatum.
Hamas says that it accepts several parts of US President Donald Trump’s plan for a ceasefire in Israel’s nearly two-year war on Gaza, but that some elements require further negotiations.
Hamas handed over its response to Trump’s 20-point plan for a ceasefire on Friday, an informed source told Al Jazeera, hours after Trump gave the group until Sunday to respond to the proposal.
In a statement, the Palestinian group announced that it has agreed “to release all occupation captives – both living and the remains – according to the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s proposal, with the provision of field conditions necessary for the exchange”.
It added that it was ready to “immediately enter negotiations through mediators to discuss the details” of the exchange.
The group also said it was ready to “hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and with Arab and Islamic support”.
But it said aspects of the proposal touching on “the future of the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people” should be decided on the basis of a “unanimous national position and relevant international laws and resolutions”.
The statement comes after Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that if an agreement was not reached by Sunday, then “all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas.”
Trump’s plan includes several points that were not addressed in the Hamas statement, including a demand that the group disarm.
Later on Friday, White House press secretary said that Trump would make remarks on Hamas’s “acceptance” of his proposal.
“Behind the Scenes in the Oval Office: President Trump responds to Hamas’ acceptance of his Peace Plan,” Leavitt posted on X, with a picture of Trump addressing television cameras from his desk.
More negotiations?
Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem said that the Hamas statement opened “a window for negotiations”. “Within the coming 48 hours, there is possibility for a lot of exchange,” he said.
Hashem said Hamas may have reservations about proposals for an international transitional body headed up by former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair that would oversee the governance of post-war Gaza.
The Trump plan provides no path for eventual reunification with the Israeli-occupied West Bank in a future Palestinian state, he noted.
“Probably they have a lot of reservations on this because, in a way, it isolates Gaza from the whole Palestinian cause. They do not want to see Gaza isolated from the bigger picture,” said Hashem.
He signalled that “most of the Arab and Islamic countries said that the paper they signed [up] to is different from the one that President Trump announced”. Hamas’s reservations might, he said, “align with the Arab and Islamic position”.
The armed group also said it appreciated “the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as those of US President Donald Trump” to resolve the conflict.
“Hamas showed a lot of positivity here by accepting the spirit of the paper and praising President Trump’s initiative. In this way, they are showing that they are ready to extend their hand,” Hashem said.
“However, they have reservations, they have some points that they want clarification over, and the ball now is in President Trump’s court.”
This is a developing story.