Hamas Seeks Amendments to Trump's Gaza Peace Plan: Concerns Over Disarmament and Israeli Withdrawal

Hamas leadership is seeking "international guarantees for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip".

Hamas officials are requesting modifications to specific provisions in US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace proposal, particularly regarding disarmament, according to a Palestinian source with close connections to the group's leadership who spoke to AFP on Wednesday.

Hamas negotiators engaged in discussions with Turkish, Egyptian, and Qatari officials in Doha on Tuesday, stated the source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks, adding that the group needed "at most two or three days" to formulate their response.

Trump's proposal, which has received support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, outlines a ceasefire, the release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, the disarmament of the group, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

However, the Palestinian source indicated, "Hamas wants to amend certain clauses such as the one concerning disarmament and the expulsion of Hamas and faction cadres."

Hamas leaders are also demanding "international guarantees for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip" and assurances that no assassination attempts will be made either inside or outside the territory.

Six individuals were killed in an Israeli attack last month targeting Hamas officials who were meeting in Doha to discuss an earlier ceasefire proposal.

The source mentioned that Hamas was also communicating with "other regional and Arab parties," without providing specific details.

'Clarification' requirements were highlighted by another source familiar with the negotiations, who told AFP that the Palestinian group was divided regarding Trump's plan.

"Currently there are two perspectives within Hamas: the first supports unconditional approval because achieving a ceasefire guaranteed by Trump is paramount, provided that the mediators ensure Israel's implementation of the plan," this source stated, also requesting anonymity.

However, others have "significant reservations about important clauses," the source added. "They reject disarmament and oppose any Palestinian citizen being removed from Gaza."

"They support a conditional agreement with clarifications that address the demands of Hamas and the resistance factions to prevent legitimizing the occupation of the Gaza Strip while criminalizing the resistance," the source explained.

"Some factions reject the plan, but discussions are ongoing and the situation will become clearer soon."

In an interview with Al Jazeera on Tuesday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that certain aspects of the Gaza plan required further "clarification" and discussions, including Israel's withdrawal from the strip.

"The matter of (Israeli) withdrawal certainly requires some clarification and additional work, and I believe this must be discussed in detail. This is primarily the responsibility of the Palestinian side, along with the Israeli side," he stated.