Hamas response to Trump plan wins hardline support, boosting hostage release hopes
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Hamas accepted on Oct 3 certain key parts of US President Donald Trump’s plan.
PHOTO: AFP
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CAIRO/GAZA – Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a hardline ally of Hamas that also holds Israeli hostages, on Oct 4 endorsed Hamas’ response to a US plan to end the war in Gaza, a move that could help pave the way for the release of Israeli captives still held by both groups.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, accepted on Oct 3
Hamas’ response triggered a chorus of optimistic statements by world leaders urging an immediate cessation of the deadliest conflict involving Israel since its creation in 1948, and freedom for the remaining Israelis held in the tiny enclave.
A further possible boost to hopes for peace came with a supportive statement from Iran-backed Islamic Jihad, which is smaller than Hamas but seen as more hardline.
‘Ray of hope’
“Hamas’ (reaction) to Trump’s plan represents the position of the Palestinian resistance factions, and the Islamic Jihad participated responsibly in the consultations that led to this decision,” the group said.
Asked when talks on implementing the US plan would begin, a Hamas official told Reuters “things have yet to be arranged”.
Hamas’ stance, and its backing by Islamic Jihad, may raise the spirit of Gazans, who had watched one ceasefire effort after another fail, as Israeli strikes hit the strip over the past two years, creating a humanitarian crisis and displacing millions.
“May the suffering lift off the people of Gaza, the people of Gaza are among the oppressed of the earth, and any ray of hope for the oppressed people is a victory,” said Mr Sharif al-Fakhouri, resident of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.
Amid the optimism, several issues remain unresolved, such as whether Hamas will agree to disarm, one of Israel’s main demands.
Other Palestinians were cautious, expressing fear that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads the most far-right government in Israel’s history, will ultimately withdraw from any plan to end the war.
“What is important is that Netanyahu does not sabotage this, because now that Hamas agreed, Netanyahu will disagree, as he usually does,” said Jerusalem resident Jamal Shihada.
The Israeli military’s Arabic spokesman issued a warning on Oct 4 for residents of Gaza City, saying it remained a “dangerous” combat zone.
He urged residents in a post on X to avoid going north in the enclave or nearing any areas where the military operates.
News website Axios earlier reported that the Israeli military would shift to defensive operations in Gaza and halt its plan to seize Gaza City.
Israeli air strikes persisted early on Oct 4, but they were less intense, after Mr Trump called for a halt to the bombing, saying Hamas was ready for peace.
In its daily update, the Gaza health ministry said Israeli fire killed at least 66 Palestinians across the enclave in the past 24 hours.
Worldwide support
Mr Netanyahu’s office said early on Oct 4 that Israel was preparing for an “immediate implementation” of the first stage of Mr Trump’s Gaza plan for the release of Israeli hostages following Hamas’ response.
Shortly after, Israeli media reported that the country’s political echelon has instructed the military to reduce offensive activity in Gaza.
Mr Trump’s plan and Hamas’ reaction won support around the world, from Australia to India to Canada and European capitals.
“An end to this terrible war is within reach,” said Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.
The Israeli military chief of staff instructed forces in a statement to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of Mr Trump’s plan, without mentioning whether there would be reduction of military activity in Gaza.
Hamas responded to Mr Trump’s 20-point plan
Mr Trump, who has cast himself as the only person capable of achieving peace in Gaza, has invested significant political capital in efforts to end the war that has left US ally Israel increasingly isolated on the world stage.
Mr Trump said on Oct 3 he believed Hamas had shown it was “ready for a lasting PEACE” and he put the onus on Mr Netanyahu’s government.
“Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Domestically, the prime minister is caught between growing pressure to end the war – from hostage families and a war-weary public – and demands from hardline members of his coalition who insist there must be no let-up in Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
Israel began attacking Gaza after the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel says 48 hostages remain, 20 of whom are alive.
Israel’s campaign has killed more than 67,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Its assault has destroyed much of the strip while aid restrictions have triggered a famine in parts of Gaza.
“It’s time to end this horrific war and bring every single hostage back home. We are for rebuilding and the rehabilitation,” said Ms Efrat Machikawa, an active member of Israel’s hostage families forum and the niece of Mr Gadi Moses, a hostage who was released in January.
“We’re fed up with the war. We don’t want any revenge. We want to concentrate on life.” REUTERS
