Hamas to Respond Soon to Trump Ultimatum... Appears to Be Preparing Counterproposal

Choosing Between Surrender and Annihilation
Experts Predict: "Hamas Likely to Accept the Offer with Additional Demands"

As the deadline for President Donald Trump's ultimatum to the Palestinian militant group Hamas-demanding the release of hostages and other key conditions-approaches, Hamas has indicated that it will soon respond. Experts believe that while Hamas is unlikely to agree to the fundamental condition of disarmament, it is more probable that the group will opt for conditional acceptance with certain amendments, rather than outright rejection.

According to Al Jazeera, on the 2nd (local time), Hamas Political Bureau member Muhammad Nazal stated that the group is discussing President Trump's proposal with the aim of ending Israel's war on the Gaza Strip and will soon announce its position. He emphasized that as the representative of Palestinian resistance, Hamas has the right to express its stance "in a way that serves the interests" of the Palestinian people. Nazal also suggested that the group is not feeling pressured by the deadline, saying, "We are not responding to this (President Trump's) plan with the logic that time is a knife at our throat."

Palestinian youths are sitting in a circle and talking in the Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, which has been almost reduced to ruins by Israeli military bombings. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 3rd, foreign media reported that Hamas had conveyed it needs more time to review President Trump's proposal. An anonymous Hamas official told the outlet, "Hamas is still discussing President Trump's plan," and added, "We have informed mediators that discussions are ongoing and that more time is needed."

There have also been reports that Hamas is considering whether to propose amendments to President Trump's offer. Russia's TASS news agency, citing Saudi media outlet Asharq News, reported that President Trump's peace initiative could be revised during talks in Doha, Qatar, involving delegations from Hamas, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar. Asharq News reported that participants in the meeting "do not rule out the possibility of amending the U.S. plan," though it remains unclear which provisions might be changed.

Previously, on the 29th of last month, President Trump announced a peace initiative that included the release of all hostages within 72 hours, the disarmament of Hamas, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a post-war governance framework for the Gaza Strip. He also indicated support for Israel's operation to destroy Hamas, and the following day pressured Hamas by stating he could "give them 3 to 4 days" to respond.

While Hamas has yet to explicitly accept or reject President Trump's offer, mediators Egypt and Qatar are reportedly trying to persuade Hamas to accept the proposal, and believe that further negotiations are needed on certain points. Political scientist Mkhaimar Abusada, a native of the Gaza Strip now based in Cairo, Egypt, told The Guardian that Hamas "must choose between the worst and the lesser evil." Abusada explained, "If Hamas rejects the offer, Trump will allow Israel to end the war as it wishes," and predicted, "Hamas will accept the proposal, but will attach various demands."

Experts familiar with the situation in the Gaza Strip believe that Hamas will not be able to agree to disarmament, which is a core principle and part of the group's identity. Mediator countries have initially expressed support for President Trump's peace initiative, but continue to explore the possibility of amendments.

According to Al Jazeera, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed a cautious stance at a French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) event in Paris on the 2nd, saying that while he generally supports President Trump's Gaza plan, further discussion is needed. Minister Abdelatty stated, "There are many gaps to fill. In particular, on the two important issues of governance and security, further discussion is needed on how to implement them." He added, "If Hamas rejects the plan, it will be difficult and tensions will escalate. We are making intensive efforts to ensure the plan can be implemented and to secure Hamas's approval." Al Jazeera reported that while Minister Abdelatty agreed on the need for Hamas's disarmament, he stressed that this should not provide Israel with a pretext to continue attacks on the Gaza Strip.