In a calculated political move, Hamas announced on Saturday its partial acceptance of Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, a decision that opens the door for immediate negotiations while deferring more contentious issues. The group has agreed to the plan’s most urgent demands: the release of all Israeli hostages and a full Israeli military withdrawal.
This decision came after a stark warning from Trump, who set a Sunday deadline for the group to respond. By accepting the core tenets of the deal, Hamas has signaled a strategic shift, opting for diplomacy over continued conflict. The group’s statement affirmed its readiness to “immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators” to hash out the details.
A key concession is Hamas’s agreement to a new governance structure for Gaza. The group approved a provision to hand over administrative control to an independent, technocratic body, which would be formed with Palestinian national consensus and backing from Arab and Islamic nations. This addresses a major international demand for a post-conflict political transition.
However, Hamas’s statement carefully delineates what it has accepted. It noted that other elements of the 20-point plan, especially those concerning the “legitimate rights of the Palestinian people” and the final status of Gaza, are linked to international law and require broader Palestinian consultation. This suggests a strategy of securing immediate gains while keeping long-term options open.
Donald Trump interpreted the move as a full-fledged desire for peace, promptly calling for Israel to stop its bombing to facilitate the hostage rescue. This calculated acceptance by Hamas has successfully shifted the international focus toward de-escalation and put the onus on Israel to reciprocate, all while keeping the final political settlement on the table for future talks.