DOHA: Hamas has demanded amendments to US President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza peace plan, particularly rejecting clauses on disarmament and the expulsion of its cadres, according to a Palestinian source close to the group’s leadership.
The source told AFP on Wednesday that Hamas negotiators held talks with Turkish, Egyptian and Qatari officials in Doha a day earlier, adding that the group would likely present its official response within two or three days at most.
Trump’s plan strongly backed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, the group’s disarmament, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
However, Hamas leaders insist on changes. Hamas wants to amend some of the clauses such as the one on disarmament and the expulsion of Hamas and faction cadres, the source said. The group is also seeking international guarantees of a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as well as assurances against targeted assassinations of its leaders inside or outside the territory.
The demand comes amid divisions within Hamas itself. According to another source familiar with the negotiations, some leaders favour accepting Trump’s plan unconditionally to secure a ceasefire guaranteed by Washington provided mediators ensure Israel’s compliance. Others, however, have voiced serious reservations over clauses that could delegitimize the resistance and criminalize Hamas.
They reject disarmament and any forced removal of Palestinian citizens from Gaza, the source said, adding that Hamas prefers a conditional agreement with clarifications reflecting its demands and those of other resistance factions.
The deliberations follow last month’s deadly Israeli strike on Hamas officials in Doha, who were meeting to discuss an earlier ceasefire proposal. For now, the group continues consultations with regional and Arab parties, with its final stance expected soon.