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Hamas agrees to parts of Trump's Gaza plan, including release of Israeli hostages

Militant group says other aspects of the president's deal still need to be negotiated

United Nations vehicles drive on a road as displaced Palestinians, fleeing northern Gaza due to an Israeli military operation, move southwards on Friday. (Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)

United Nations vehicles drive on a road as displaced Palestinians, fleeing northern Gaza due to an Israeli military operation, move southwards on Friday. (Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)

Hamas said on Friday it would agree to some aspects of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza, including releasing hostages and handing over administration of the enclave, but that it would seek negotiations over many of its other terms.

In a statement, Hamas issued its response to Trump's 20-point plan after the U.S. president gave the Palestinian militant group until Sunday to accept or reject the proposal.

Trump has not said whether the terms would be subject to negotiation, as Hamas is seeking.

Notably, Hamas did not say whether it would agree to a stipulation that it disarm, a demand by Israel and the U.S. that it has previously rejected.

In its statement, Hamas said it "appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts," as well as Trump's efforts, "calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, [and] the immediate entry of aid," among other terms.

 

WATCH | What Palestinians in Gaza think about Trump's plan: 

 

Palestinians in Gaza react to the latest ceasefire proposal from the White House, with several people expressing concern that, if implemented, it would put the future of Gaza at risk.

It said it was announcing its "approval of releasing all occupation prisoners — both living and remains — according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump's proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange."

But Hamas added: "In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter, through the mediators, into negotiations to discuss the details."

The group said it was ready "to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents [technocrats] based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing."

 

U.S. President Donald Trump looks on.
U.S. President Donald Trump is shown in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.(Ken Cedeno/Reuters) 
 

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Hamas's response to the proposal.

Trump's plan, which is backed by Israel as well as Arab and European powers, specifies an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of all hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional government led by an international body.

 

Source: CBC News:

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