The Hamas group sent a response to US President Trump regarding his proposal for a peace plan to end hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The organization agreed to release the prisoners captured during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This is reported by Al Jazeera.
The letter was sent to intermediaries working between the US government and the Gaza Strip. According to it, Hamas agrees to release all prisoners captured in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel — both alive and dead — under the exchange plan outlined in Trump’s proposal. In addition, the group agrees to hand over administration of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian government “based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support”.
“In this context, the movement confirms its readiness to immediately start negotiations through mediators to discuss the details of this agreement”, Hamas said in a statement regarding the US president’s peace plan.
The group also stressed that the future fate of the Gaza Strip and Palestine should be decided “in the framework of a comprehensive Palestinian national program in which Hamas will participate and make a responsible contribution”. One of Trump’s conditions is to exclude Hamas from participating in the government of Palestine.
At the same time, UN humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher said that Trump’s Gaza plan “opens a window of opportunity” to deliver aid to Gaza and secure the release of Israeli prisoners held in the Strip. According to him, the UN has prepared 170,000 tons of food, medicine, materials for housing infrastructure and other goods ready to be sent to Gaza from the region.
Recall that on September 30, US President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington and announced a plan to cease fire in the Gaza Strip.
Trump proposed the following steps for a ceasefire and fighting in the Gaza Strip:
- Return of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023 during an attack on Israel within 72 hours of Israel’s ceasefire in the Gaza Strip;
- After the cease-fire, humanitarian aid will arrive in Gaza and the restoration of critical infrastructure will begin;
- The US will act as a moderator between Israel and the Palestinian Authority regarding the restoration of administrative institutions in the Gaza Strip; Hamas will not participate in their restoration;
- Military infrastructure in Gaza will be eliminated, including tunnels where, according to Trump, Hamas hides weapons;
- The Gaza Strip should become a demilitarized zone, as well as “de-radicalized” zone and a “terrorist-free zone”. Hamas will be allowed to leave Gaza and receive amnesty;
- The US and its partners will establish an interim International Stabilization Force (ISF) for immediate deployment in Gaza; The ISF will train and support a proven Palestinian police force; will cooperate with Israel, Egypt and Jordan; a de-escalation mechanism will be agreed upon;
- Israel will not occupy Gaza; the Israeli army will hand over the territory of the Gaza Strip to the International Stabilization Force (ISF);
- Under conditions of restoration and reforms, Palestine will have the opportunity to move towards sovereignty and the creation of a state.
If Hamas refuses to support Trump’s proposal by October 5, Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip will continue.
