Hamas, a Palestinian militant organization, has opted out of the formal endorsement of the Gaza peace agreement in Egypt, as per a senior Hamas leader speaking to the AFP. The decision was influenced by disagreements with certain aspects of Donald Trump’s plan, casting uncertainty over the fate of the much-anticipated deal.
In response to suggestions within the plan that Hamas members vacate the Gaza Strip, Hamas leaders have labeled the notion as “ridiculous,” as reported by the Times of Israel. Hossam Badran, a member of the group’s political bureau, emphasized that talk of expelling Palestinians, regardless of their affiliation with Hamas, from their homeland is illogical and baseless. He anticipates challenging negotiations in the plan’s second phase due to its intricate nature.
These statements precede Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East, where he is set to commemorate the release of Israeli captives still held in Gaza since Hamas’s attack on October 7. Although the ceasefire initiated by Israel on Friday marked a partial implementation of Trump’s proposal, significant obstacles remain, particularly concerning Hamas’s disarmament, a stipulation deemed non-negotiable by a senior Hamas official.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at the possibility of resuming Israeli military actions if Hamas fails to comply with disarmament demands. The recent ceasefire allowed displaced families to start returning to their homes in Gaza, following Israel’s withdrawal from certain areas after the bombardments. Thousands of Palestinians journeyed northwards along Gaza’s coastline, benefiting from the ceasefire’s stability.
Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas has until Monday noon to release the remaining 47 Israeli captives, both alive and deceased, out of the 251 abducted during the 2023 attack. Israel, in return, will release 250 detainees, including individuals serving life sentences for anti-Israeli offenses, and 1,700 Gazans arrested since the conflict’s onset. The aftermath of the conflict, which caused extensive casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza, will see the US coordinating a multinational task force involving troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE.
The conflict in Gaza has led to a significant death toll, with the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory reporting at least 67,682 fatalities, figures recognized by the United Nations. The recent hostilities were triggered by Hamas’s attack on Israel in 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,219 individuals, predominantly civilians, according to official Israeli records.