Hamas officials have requested additional time to evaluate a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan for Gaza proposed by former President Donald Trump, according to anonymous sources speaking to AFP. The proposal, supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, includes a 72-hour hostage release window, Hamas disarmament, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, followed by a transitional authority led by Trump.
A Hamas official stated the group is consulting with mediators and regional partners, emphasizing the need for “international guarantees” of Israel’s full withdrawal and protections against targeted assassinations. Internal divisions within Hamas have surfaced, with one faction advocating immediate acceptance under Trump’s guarantees, while another opposes disarmament and expulsion clauses.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar raised concerns during a parliamentary session, claiming Trump’s 20-point plan diverges from earlier drafts proposed by Muslim-majority nations. Meanwhile, Hamas political bureau member Mohammad Nazzal acknowledged “points of concern” in the proposal but affirmed ongoing dialogue with mediators.
The plan has drawn mixed reactions globally, with Arab states welcoming the initiative despite unresolved disagreements over key terms. Analysts suggest Hamas’s delayed response reflects strategic calculations amid mounting humanitarian pressures in Gaza and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
