Hamas Backs Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan and Agrees to Release Hostages — But Will the Region Finally Find Peace?
In a dramatic turn, Hamas says it has agreed to release all Israeli hostages and return the remains of the deceased under Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. The announcement comes as Washington pressed for a deal, and as the White House warned that failure could escalate the conflict. Hamas framed its decision as part of the exchange formula outlined in Trump’s proposal, signaling a potential path forward amid years of fighting. The move also accompanies a broader push to shape Gaza’s governance under a new, crisis-management framework.
In This Article:
- Hamas Announces Agreement to Free Hostages and Return Remains Under Trump’s Exchange Formula
- Hamas Rejects Tony Blair and Trump’s Board of Peace; Demands Palestinian Governance
- Plan Details, Mediation, and the Path Forward: What the 20-Point Plan Envisions
- What Happens Next? Skepticism, Hostages, and the Risk of Collapse
Hamas Announces Agreement to Free Hostages and Return Remains Under Trump’s Exchange Formula
Hamas said it approves releasing all Israeli hostages, alive, and returning the remains of the deceased, under the exchange framework mentioned in President Trump’s proposal. The movement also said it would hand administrative control of Gaza to an independent body of Palestinian technocrats, claimed to be based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said he believed Hamas was acting in good faith and urged Israel to stop the bombing so the hostages could be released. He added that, based on Hamas’s statement, they appear ready for lasting peace.
Hamas Rejects Tony Blair and Trump’s Board of Peace; Demands Palestinian Governance
Hamas rejected Trump’s proposed Chairmanship of a 'Board of Peace' to govern Gaza and rejected Tony Blair as a member. The group said it would not allow non-Palestinians to govern the Palestinians, with Mousa Abu Marzouk telling Al Jazeera: "We will never accept anyone who is not Palestinian to control the Palestinians. We can’t bring someone like Tony Blair to be governor in Gaza because this man, he destroyed Iraq." Hamas added that other elements of Trump’s 20-point peace plan would be discussed within a comprehensive Palestinian national framework in which Hamas would participate and contribute responsibly.
Plan Details, Mediation, and the Path Forward: What the 20-Point Plan Envisions
The White House released a 20-point plan that includes increased aid to Gaza and an economic development package with preferred tariffs and access terms." Hamas said it would be willing to hand over offensive weapons to Egypt and the United Nations for storage, while insisting on a timeline for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. Negotiations have faced setbacks in the past, including failed pressure attempts by US envoy Steve Witkoff. Doha has served as a crucial mediator, and Trump has gained support from Netanyahu and other regional power brokers.
What Happens Next? Skepticism, Hostages, and the Risk of Collapse
Twenty Israeli hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas, along with 28 bodies not yet sent home to Israeli families since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Trump has warned that ‘all hell’ will break out if Hamas rejects the plan, and he is expected to respond from the Oval Office. Mediation continues in Doha and among Arab powers, with Netanyahu’s support in play as negotiations unfold. The big question remains: will Hamas keep its word, and can a fragile pause translate into lasting peace for civilians on both sides? The coming days will tell.
