Contradictory statements are appearing in some sections of the media regarding Hamas’s response to US President Donald Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan.
However, some individuals and leaders of religious parties who have direct contact with political bureau of the group told WE Punjab that they have yet to receive the copy of the proposal.
Reports, on the other hand, suggest that Egyptian and Qatari mediators have handed Hamas a copy of the 20-point proposal. According to CBS News, Hamas is leaning toward a quick acceptance of the plan. While some media outlets claim Hamas may reject it outright, others believe Hamas will raise objections to certain points. They quoted the group as saying “it is studying the proposal in good faith”. Arbas, Muslim countries including Pakistan and Russia have backed the US proposal. Tehran has yet to respond.
Trump has warned Hamas to accept the plan or face elimination. He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have Washington’s full backing to ‘finish his job’ in Gaza if Hamas failed to respond to the US proposal within 72 hours. More than 12 hours have already passed since his deadline began.
Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan:
Points number 6, 13, 14 and 17 in Trump 20-point plan directly deals with Hamas. As per point 6: “Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.”
Point 13 reads: “Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarisation of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration programme all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbours.”
Point 14:”A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbours or its people.”
“In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF,” according to point 17.
Options for Hamas:
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Director Foreign Affairs Dr Asif Luqman Qazi quoting Hamas political bureau leader says: “They [Hamas leaders] said that they have not received the proposal as yet. If received, they will study it and respond.”
Qazi further said: Qatar and Türkiye officials are going to contact them and discuss with them this proposal. They will be open to negotiations but will not compromise on their principled stance that [Israeli] occupation of Palestinian land has to end.”
Another leader seeking anonymity said Hamas has very few options after Trump’s plan received backing from the leaders of Muslim countries. “They might propose involvement of some handpicked Palestinians in the ‘Board of Peace'”.
