Hamas Accepts Most of Trump’s Gaza War Terms
JERUSALEM – Hamas accepted most of President Trump’s terms for ending the war in Gaza on Friday, delivering a “Yes, but …” response that agreed to handing over all hostages and relinquishing control of the enclave, but stopped short of the full surrender outlined in the agreement.
The response came the day Trump saeid that the Palestinian militant group had until Sunday to accept what was essentially a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum.
“If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, then all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas,” wrote Trump on his messaging platform, Truth Social.
After days of what it said was “thorough study” – and intense pressure from its Arab partners in Qatar, Egypt and others – Hamas issued a statement late Friday saying it would release all Israeli hostages, dead or alive, according to “the exchange formula outlined in President Trump’s proposal, provided that field conditions for carrying out the exchange are secured.”
Trump’s deal, wich includes 20 points and amounts to more of a framework than a comprehensive agreement, represents his administration’s most concerted push to not only end the Hamas-Israel war, but achieve a more comprehensive peace in the region.
Upon acceptance from both sides, the agreement says, fighting must immediately stop and aid be allowed into Gaza, where Israel’s months-long blockade has caused famine. Hamas fighters who stop fighting would be granted amnesty and Gazans would not be forced to leave the enclave.
The agreement was negotiated with Israel along with a number of Arab and Muslim nations. Media reports after the deal’s terms were published said Israel had inserted last-minute changes more in line with the wishes of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has refused during two years of war any ceasefire deal that would allow Hamas to remain in power.
his move angered Arab nations. Still, they nevertheless issued statements cautiously praising Trump’s initiative which he unveiled Monday after meeting with Netanyahu at