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With Trump setting a red line and Netanyahu threatening to “finish the job,” Hamas is yet to respond to the US-backed Gaza ceasefire plan
US President Donald Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AFP)
Four days after US President Donald Trump unveiled his 20-point Gaza peace plan, Israel has endorsed it, but Hamas has yet to give an official reply. With disarmament demands, internal divisions and international pressure, the group is weighing its options before making a formal decision.
What Does Trump’s Peace Plan Propose?
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The plan, announced in Washington earlier this week, seeks to end the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza. It calls for an immediate ceasefire. Hamas would be required to release all remaining Israeli hostages within 72 hours in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life sentences.
Israeli forces would withdraw gradually to a buffer zone surrounding Gaza. The territory’s administration would shift to an international transitional authority, which would also oversee humanitarian aid and reconstruction.
The proposal includes a key clause requiring Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza. It does not mention a roadmap to Palestinian statehood.
Israel quickly endorsed the plan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that if Hamas rejected it or caused delays, Israel would “finish the job” militarily.
Why Has Hamas Not Issued A Response Yet?
Hamas has not formally accepted or rejected the plan. A senior official told the Associated Press that “some elements are unacceptable” and that these concerns had been conveyed to mediators in Qatar and Egypt.
The group’s leadership is divided geographically and organisationally across Gaza, Doha, and Istanbul, which has slowed decision-making. Hamas has stated it will consult with other Palestinian factions before delivering a reply.
According to the Guardian, sources close to the group say Hamas may treat the proposal as a basis for negotiations but is unlikely to agree to its terms as presented.
Are There Divisions Inside Hamas Over The Plan?
Hamas’s leadership is not monolithic. The Guardian reported that different branches of the group hold varying views. The Doha-based political leadership is seen as more pragmatic, while the military leadership in Gaza remains firmly opposed to disarmament.
Younger fighters reportedly want to continue hostilities, believing Israel is under pressure due to reservist mobilisation and upcoming elections.
However, Michael Milshtein, an expert in Hamas at Tel Aviv University, told The Guardian that such divisions may be overstated. He said opposition to disarmament is broadly shared across the group, as armed resistance is seen as central to its identity.
What Are Hamas’s Key Objections To The Plan?
The most serious objection is the demand that Hamas disarm. According to Hugh Lovatt, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, it would be “very difficult for Hamas to accept the terms unconditionally” as the proposal lacks details and offers no political roadmap. “Anything other than total and final acceptance will be used against Hamas by Israel, the Trump administration and possibly the Europeans,” he told The Guardian.
Other sticking points include:
- The lack of detail around Israel’s withdrawal timeline and buffer zone arrangements
- The absence of guarantees for political rights or elections in Gaza under the proposed international administration
- The fact that Hamas was excluded from the plan’s drafting process, while Israeli conditions were incorporated from the outset
While the mass prisoner release is viewed as a potential achievement, sources close to Hamas told AP that it does not outweigh the perceived risks of disarmament without political guarantees.
What Pressure Is Hamas Facing From Abroad?
Qatar, Turkey and Egypt, three countries with influence over Hamas, are encouraging the group to respond constructively.
According to AP, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said during a speech in Paris that Hamas must disarm and avoid giving Israel a pretext for continued attacks. Referring to the 7 October 2023 Hamas assault, he said, “Let’s not give any excuse for one party to use Hamas as a pretext for this mad daily killing of civilians,” calling the ongoing Israeli campaign “ethnic cleansing and genocide in motion.”
Qatar and Turkey, which host Hamas’s political leaders, are urging compromise to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
What Deadline Has The US Set For A Response?
Speaking on Tuesday, President Trump said Hamas had “three or four days” to respond to the proposal. On Thursday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that the President would draw a red line if there was no reply, though no specific consequence was outlined.
“This is an acceptable plan,” Leavitt said. “We hope and expect Hamas should accept this plan so we can move forward.”
The White House said the plan had been welcomed by several countries and described it as “comprehensive and detailed.”
What Role Is Israel Playing While Waiting For A Response?
Israel has continued military operations while awaiting Hamas’s response. According to AP, at least 13 Palestinians were killed in overnight airstrikes on Thursday. Nine people, most of them women, died in a house in Deir al-Balah, and three more were killed in a strike on a tent. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City also reported casualties amid an ongoing Israeli offensive.
Separately, Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla of about 40 vessels carrying humanitarian aid and activists aiming to breach the naval blockade. According to organisers and Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the ships were diverted and the passengers detained.
Is Hamas Likely To Reject The Plan Completely?
At this stage, a full rejection appears unlikely. Hamas is likely to seek amendments rather than walk away from the proposal altogether. This would allow Hamas to retain leverage, avoid further escalation, and signal diplomatic engagement.
However, both Israel and the Trump administration have warned that partial or conditional acceptance may be treated as a rejection.
What Happens If Hamas Doesn’t Respond Soon?
If Hamas rejects the plan or continues to delay its response:
- Israel may intensify its military campaign, as indicated by statements from Prime Minister Netanyahu
- The US may treat the silence as a withdrawal from talks, based on Trump’s earlier remarks
- Mediators may find it harder to keep communication channels open
If Hamas accepts with conditions, it could open the door to negotiations, but there is no clarity yet on how the US or Israel would respond to anything short of full compliance.
About the Author
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar…Read More
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar… Read More
October 03, 2025, 14:21 IST
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