Hamas Agrees to Free Every Israeli Captives as It Approves Part of Trump's Gaza Plan

On Friday, the organization declared that it had backed specific aspects of Donald Trump's ultimatum to conclude the conflict in Gaza, agreeing to a prisoner swap and to relinquish governing power in the coastal enclave, but indicated that it desired additional discussions on remaining parts of the plan.

Hamas remained silent on whether it would comply to disarm – a crucial component of Trump's plan – and kept vague its answer to additional sections of the 20-part strategy initially suggested by Trump last Monday.

The response remained uncertain how the former president would respond to a conditional reply to his plan, which came just hours after he set a Sunday deadline for the organization to answer. He stated that if an agreement was not achieved "chaos" would break out against Hamas, whose militants he described as surrounded and cornered.

Major Agreements and Stipulations

In a announcement, the group said that it was giving its "endorsement of freeing all Israeli captives – both alive and deceased – according to the swap terms included in Donald Trump's plan, with the required practical arrangements for implementing the exchange."

The statement continued to say that the organization was prepared to turn over "governance of the Gaza Strip to a local entity of non-partisan technocrats founded on local agreement and supported by regional support."

Areas Requiring Additional Negotiation

Nonetheless, the faction noted that "other issues" in the proposal would need to be discussed more "through a consolidated local process." The unstated issues that the group will seek negotiations on are expected to involve the matter of its arms, the withdrawal of Jewish state troops from Gaza, and international assurances for the enforcement of a permanent truce.

Trump's proposal demanded an swift end to fighting in Gaza, an swap of captives and local detainees within three days of the agreement's signing, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, as well as the demilitarization of Hamas and a postwar interim authority headed by Trump.

Aid and Reconstruction Terms

The agreement also specified a surge of assistance to the territory, areas of which are currently experiencing starvation, and rebuilding to the mostly destroyed strip.

The proposal was largely seen as disadvantageous to the faction and if accepted in entirety, would likely mean the group's end as an militant local group while demanding few concessions from the Israeli government. Global influence on the faction to approve the strategy, was immense though, with most regional and world powers welcoming the Trump administration initiative.

Impact of the Captive Release

Though the group did not right away consent to disarm, its agreement to hand over hostages will be seen as important. The forty-eight hostages have been used by the group as key bargaining power during the almost two year conflict in its negotiations with the United States and Israeli officials. Releasing them will result in the group with few bargaining chips going forward.

Not the U.S. administration nor Israeli authorities have so far responded to Hamas's appeal for amendments to the Trump ultimatum.

Conflict Casualties and Background

Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip has claimed at least over sixty-two thousand locals and wounded about 170,000, according to the Gaza health authority. The war was launched by the Israeli government in response to Hamas-affiliated militants murdering about twelve hundred people and taking 251 hostages in the Jewish state about nearly two years ago.

Francis Richardson
Francis Richardson

A certified driving instructor with over 15 years of experience, passionate about promoting road safety and sharing practical driving techniques.