Hamas Considers Trump-Netanyahu Gaza Peace Plan Amid Disarmament Challenges

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have announced a 20-point peace plan aiming to end the Gaza war and establish lasting peace in the Middle East, which includes the demilitarization of Gaza, release of all hostages within 72 hours, and the removal of Hamas from power. While several Arab countries and European leaders have welcomed the plan as a genuine opportunity for peace and a two-state solution, Hamas is currently reviewing the proposal with internal consultations ongoing and is expected to suggest amendments, particularly regarding the surrender of weapons and the timeline for hostage release. Hamas insists on handing over its weapons to Arab monitors rather than outright surrender, wants Israel to withdraw fully from Gaza except for a secure border zone, and prefers staged hostage releases due to operational challenges. The Islamic Jihad group has outright rejected the plan, describing it as a formula for continued aggression and regional escalation, while Gazan residents express a mix of skepticism and fragile hope about its prospects. Sources indicate Hamas finds the plan complicated and potentially exploitable by Israel due to vague timelines and conditional provisions. International figures including Sir Tony Blair, European Council President Antonio Costa, and UK opposition leader Keir Starmer have urged all parties, especially Hamas, to accept the plan to end the humanitarian crisis and foster peace.