In brief
A senior figure from Hamas expressed likely rejection of Donald Trump's peace plan during a BBC interview, arguing that the plan prioritizes Israeli interests and disregards Palestinian concerns. Key objections include disarmament demands and the proposal for an international military presence in Gaza, perceived as an occupation. Meanwhile, discussions within Hamas and other Palestinian factions about the plan continue.
A senior Hamas figure has told the BBC that the group is likely to reject Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza, saying it 'serves Israel's interests' and 'ignores those of the Palestinian people.'
The figure stated that Hamas is unlikely to agree to disarming and handing over their weapons—a key condition of Trump's plan.
Furthermore, Hamas objects to the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, viewing it as a novel form of occupation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted Trump's plan during talks at the White House, while Hamas has yet to provide an official response.
Hamas talks are ongoing and are said to be involving leadership from both inside and outside Gaza, according to a senior Palestinian official with knowledge of these discussions.
The group's military commander in the region, Ez al-Din al-Haddad, is reportedly inclined to continue fighting instead of acquiescing to the presented plan.
In a related development, Hamas figures located outside Gaza appear to have been sidelined in discussions due to a lack of control over hostages.
Hamas's internal discussions concerning the peace plan, which are expected to take several days, also involve discussions with other Palestinian factions.
In light of Trump's backing, skepticism remains about Israel continuing its military operations even after receiving hostages, notably following a recent attempted assassination of Hamas leadership.
Additionally, aspects of the plan involve a proposed buffer zone along Gaza's southern border with Egypt, raising further questions about administration responsibilities.
Despite Netanyahu's acceptance, recent statements suggest he may be backing away from certain terms of the agreement.
Public sentiment in Gaza largely supports the plan as a means to end the ongoing conflict, even while many recognize its imperfections. However, the fear of continued hostilities remains prevalent, with many Palestinians calling for an immediate ceasefire.
