A ceasefire proposal for Gaza, backed by the United States, awaits a response from Hamas as tensions escalate in the region. This 20-point plan, promoted by President Donald Trump, is described as a significant step towards ending the two-year conflict in the enclave. During a press briefing, Trump emphasized that the proposal is “beyond very close” to achieving peace.
The document was shared with Hamas by mediators from Qatar and Egypt on March 4, 2024. This came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly endorsed the proposal at the White House, claiming it aligns with Israel’s war objectives. Trump expressed gratitude to Netanyahu for his support, stating, “If we work together, we can bring an end to the death and destruction that we’ve seen for so many years.”
Details of the Proposal and Hamas’s Reaction
The proposal outlines several key demands, including an immediate ceasefire and the disarmament of Hamas, which the group has historically rejected. An official familiar with the discussions indicated that Hamas has agreed to review the plan in good faith and provide a response. Trump warned that if Hamas rejects the proposal, Israel would receive full support from the United States to take necessary actions.
Key elements of the plan involve an exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the establishment of a transitional government led by an international body. Despite the backing from various Arab and Muslim nations, many components of the 20-point plan have appeared in prior ceasefire proposals that both Israel and Hamas have accepted and later abandoned.
A source close to Hamas criticized the proposal, describing it as “completely biased to Israel” and laden with “impossible conditions.” This Palestinian official, who requested anonymity, asserted that the plan essentially endorses Israeli demands without providing legitimate rights to the Palestinian people.
Regional Responses and Ongoing Conflict
How Hamas formulates its response remains unclear, especially given the potential backlash from Arab and Muslim nations that have welcomed the proposal. Foreign ministers from Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt issued a joint statement praising Trump’s efforts to end hostilities in Gaza.
Some Palestinians have expressed cautious optimism about the plan’s potential to halt ongoing violence. Salah Abu Amr, a resident of Gaza City, voiced a common sentiment: “We want the war to end but we want the occupation army that killed tens of thousands of us to get out and leave us alone.” He expressed skepticism about the trustworthiness of both Trump and Netanyahu.
As discussions unfold, the situation on the ground remains dire. Israeli forces have intensified their operations in Gaza City, reportedly advancing into the heart of the territory, which Netanyahu has described as the last stronghold of Hamas. Recent military actions have resulted in civilian casualties, with reports of at least two individuals killed in an airstrike targeting a vehicle in Beach camp and nine others, including a mother and her children, dying in separate attacks in Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younis.
The coming days will be crucial as Hamas deliberates its next steps in response to the U.S.-backed proposal, with the potential for both diplomatic engagement and further conflict hanging in the balance.
