The Palestinian Group Consents to Free All Israeli Captives as It Accepts Portions of Trump's Gaza Strip Plan

This past Friday, the organization declared that it had backed specific aspects of Donald Trump's ultimatum to end the war in the Gaza region, agreeing to a hostage exchange and to surrender administrative authority in the Gaza strip, but indicated that it wished additional negotiations on other parts of the proposal.

The group remained silent on whether it would comply to disarm – a crucial component of Trump's plan – and kept unclear its response to other sections of the comprehensive strategy first proposed by Donald Trump earlier this week.

It was unclear how Trump would respond to a conditional response to his plan, which came just a short time after he issued a Sunday deadline for the group to respond. He stated that if an deal was not reached "all hell" would break out against Hamas, whose fighters he described as surrounded and cornered.

Major Agreements and Conditions

In a statement, the group said that it was giving its "endorsement of freeing all Israeli captives – both living and remains – according to the swap terms contained in Donald Trump's proposal, with the required field conditions for executing the exchange."

The statement went on to state that Hamas was ready to hand over "the administration of the Gaza Strip to a local body of independent experts based on Palestinian national consensus and backed by Arab and Islamic support."

Issues Needing Further Negotiation

Nonetheless, the group noted that "other issues" in the strategy would need to be discussed more "within a unified Palestinian national framework." The unstated issues that Hamas will seek negotiations on are expected to include the issue of its arms, the pullout of Israeli troops from Gaza, and international assurances for the enforcement of a lasting truce.

Trump's plan called for an swift cessation to hostilities in Gaza, an swap of captives and local detainees within 72 hours of the deal's signing, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli military from the strip, as well as the demilitarization of Hamas and a postwar transitional administration led by Donald Trump.

Humanitarian and Reconstruction Terms

The deal also stipulated a increase of aid to Gaza, areas of which are presently experiencing starvation, and reconstruction to the largely demolished strip.

The proposal was largely viewed as disadvantageous to the faction and if agreed in entirety, would probably mean the organization's end as an armed local group while requiring minimal compromises from Israel. International pressure on the faction to approve the plan, was tremendous though, with the majority of local and world nations welcoming the Trump imitative.

Consequences of the Hostage Release

Though the organization did not right away agree to lay down weapons, its agreement to hand over hostages will be regarded as important. The forty-eight individuals have been utilized by the group as primary leverage throughout the nearly two year war in its negotiations with the US and Israeli officials. Giving them up will result in the group with limited negotiating tools going forward.

Neither the U.S. administration nor Israeli authorities have so far replied to the group's appeal for amendments to the Trump's ultimatum.

War Casualties and Background

The Israeli war in Gaza has killed at least 62,622 locals and wounded about 170,000, according to the Gaza health authority. The hostilities was initiated by the Israeli government in response to Hamas-affiliated fighters killing about twelve hundred people and capturing two hundred fifty-one hostages in the Jewish state almost two years ago.

Caroline York
Caroline York

A seasoned deal hunter and financial blogger passionate about helping others save money and make smart purchasing decisions.