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Hamas delivered its official response to President Donald Trump's comprehensive Gaza ceasefire proposal on Friday, requesting clarifications on several clauses while announcing its willingness to release all Israeli captives under the framework, according to Palestinian sources.
The group told mediators it would approve the release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza and transfer administrative control of the territory to a Palestinian technocratic authority, as outlined in Trump's 20-point plan unveiled last Monday at the White House.
However, Hamas indicated that issues related to Gaza's future governance and Palestinian rights must be addressed within what it called a "unified national framework" grounded in international law, suggesting the group seeks modifications to certain aspects of the proposal.
The response marks the first official reaction from Hamas since Trump presented his framework with an ultimatum: accept the terms or face "complete destruction." The plan positions Trump himself as chairman of a transitional oversight board while promising full U.S. military backing for Israel if Hamas rejects the deal.
Trump's proposal, announced during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, envisions transforming Gaza into what the president termed a "deradicalized terror-free zone." The plan includes immediate cessation of hostilities upon acceptance by both parties, with Israeli military withdrawing to agreed-upon lines.
Under the framework's most time-sensitive provision, Hamas would have 72 hours after Israel's public acceptance to return all hostages, both living and deceased. In exchange, Israel would release 250 prisoners serving life sentences plus 1,700 Gazans detained since October 7, 2023.
The proposal offers amnesty to Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and weapon decommissioning, while providing safe passage to receiving countries for those choosing exile. This represents a significant departure from Israel's stated goal of eliminating Hamas entirely.
Perhaps the most unusual element involves Gaza's governance under a technocratic Palestinian committee supervised by an international "Board of Peace" chaired by Trump himself. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been named as one confirmed member of this oversight body.
The plan calls for Arab and Muslim countries to oversee Gaza's disarmament, with the United States establishing an International Stabilization Force to deploy immediately. This force would train Palestinian police while working with regional partners including Jordan and Egypt to secure border areas.
The framework includes creating a special economic zone with preferred tariff rates and a comprehensive rebuilding program for Gaza's infrastructure, including water, electricity and medical facilities. The plan explicitly states no one would be forced to leave Gaza, countering concerns about population displacement.
Hamas and other factions would be permanently banned from governance roles, with all military infrastructure including tunnels and weapons facilities to be destroyed under international supervision. Israeli withdrawal would be tied to verifiable demilitarization milestones, with a security perimeter maintained until Gaza poses no terrorist threat.
Netanyahu had not publicly endorsed the proposal by the conclusion of their White House meeting, leaving the plan's ultimate fate dependent on both sides' final acceptance of Trump's unprecedented framework for ending the conflict.
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