Trump Embraces Hamas Response to Peace Proposal Amidst Tensions with Israel

Hamas Responds to Trump’s Peace Proposal, Sparking Mixed Reactions in Washington and Jerusalem

October 7, 2023 — Washington D.C.

In a dramatic turn of events, Hamas has responded to President Donald Trump’s ambitious 20-point proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The response, which came after nearly five days of anticipation, has sent ripples through the political landscape, prompting swift reactions from both the White House and Israeli officials.

The White House was quick to embrace Hamas’s statement, even mistakenly attributing it to Trump himself in an early social media post. However, while Hamas expressed a willingness to release all remaining hostages from the October 7 terror attacks, it notably stopped short of endorsing key elements of Trump’s plan, including disarmament and relinquishing governance in Gaza.

Trump, undeterred by the lack of full endorsement, seized on the positive aspects of Hamas’s response. “Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE,” he declared on Truth Social, urging Israel to halt its bombing campaign in Gaza to facilitate the safe release of hostages.

The president’s comments came just an hour after Hamas’s announcement, effectively preempting any immediate response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a statement released early Saturday, Netanyahu indicated that Israel was preparing to implement the first phase of Trump’s plan, emphasizing cooperation with the U.S. to end the war.

In a video posted later, Trump hailed the day as “big” and “unprecedented,” asserting that there was a unified desire for peace in the Middle East. Yet, the coordination of Trump’s response with Israeli officials remains unclear, as no direct communication between Trump and Netanyahu was reported.

Trump’s demand for Israel to cease its bombardment of Gaza caught many by surprise, particularly as Israeli sources indicated that the military was prepared to continue its operations. The Israeli government has yet to address Trump’s call for an immediate halt to airstrikes or provide a timeline for the hostages’ release.

As negotiations loom, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, is set to travel to Egypt this weekend to discuss the details of the hostage release and other aspects of the peace plan. However, reactions to Hamas’s response have been mixed, even among Trump’s allies. Senator Lindsey Graham criticized the response as a “classic ‘Yes, but,’” highlighting the lack of commitment to disarmament and governance changes.

Despite the challenges, Trump remains optimistic, acknowledging that while there is still work to be done, the response from Hamas could provide a pathway to peace. “We’ll see how it all turns out. We have to get the final word down in concrete,” he stated.

As the situation unfolds, the dynamics between Trump, Netanyahu, and Hamas will be closely watched, with the potential for significant implications for U.S.-Israel relations and the broader Middle East peace process.