A senior Hamas source has revealed the group is demanding significant changes to U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed Gaza ceasefire plan, calling for international guarantees and clearer terms regarding Israel's military withdrawal. The proposal, drafted in coordination with Israeli authorities according to the source, faces skepticism from Palestinian factions over its potential long-term implications.
Key Sticking Points
The source close to Hamas leadership told Xinhua the movement requires explicit commitments on three fronts: a complete end to hostilities with international oversight, a defined timeline for Israeli forces to leave Gaza, and preservation of Palestinian resistance capabilities. "Disarmament is an existential red line," the source emphasized, while noting Hamas isn't rejecting negotiations outright.
Reconstruction and Prisoner Concerns
Disagreements extend to post-conflict governance, with Hamas insisting Palestinian authorities – not international bodies – oversee Gaza's reconstruction. The group also seeks to tie the release of Israeli captives directly to withdrawal milestones, fearing "Israel might halt compliance after recovering prisoners."
Analysts Warn of Risks
Ramallah-based political analyst Hani al-Masri described the current draft as "a cover for prolonged occupation," warning it offers Israel concrete security gains while leaving Palestinian statehood aspirations undefined. "This could become colonial-era trusteeship dressed as peace," he cautioned, urging any acceptance to include ironclad conditions preserving the two-state solution framework.
With most Palestinian factions having rejected the proposal earlier this week, attention now turns to whether U.S. mediators will address Hamas' demands for binding guarantees and procedural changes before the plan advances further.
