Hamas partially accepts Trump's peace plan, but what are the key issues that remain unresolved?

A core element of Trump’s plan demands Hamas fully disarm, with weapons to be “permanently placed beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning” under independent supervision. Hamas’s formal response made no explicit mention of disarmament.

Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera, “We are ready to hand over the weapons to a future Palestinian body that runs Gaza,” but added this would require internal consensus and could not be dictated externally. A veteran Arab diplomat told NBC News that Hamas’s silence was likely strategic: “They had no choice but to accept, but they won’t put it in writing unless they get guarantees.” Disarmament remains a major sticking point that could determine whether the deal advances or stalls.

Gaza governance

Hamas says it is willing to transfer administrative control of Gaza to a Palestinian body of independents, provided it is formed through national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic states. Trump’s plan, however, envisions a foreign-led “Board of Peace,” co-chaired by Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, to oversee the transition with Hamas excluded entirely.

Abu Marzouk rejected the idea of foreign oversight: “We would never accept anyone who is not Palestinian to control the Palestinians,” and specifically opposed Blair’s involvement, citing his association with the 2003 Iraq invasion. Hamas views this aspect as undermining Palestinian self-rule and isolating Gaza from the broader Palestinian cause.

Hostage release timeline

Trump’s plan calls for all 48 hostages, alive or dead, to be released within 72 hours of the deal’s enactment. While Hamas agreed to the exchange in principle, it did not commit to the strict timeline. Marzouk noted that locating remains could take weeks, making the 72-hour deadline unrealistic.

Foreign security forces

The proposal also calls for a temporary multinational security force, backed by Arab states and monitored internationally, to stabilise Gaza during the transitional phase. Hamas’s statement did not address this provision, leaving it unresolved. While the group’s insistence on self-determination suggests potential opposition, no outright rejection has been issued.

Renegotiation and Palestinian consensus

Hamas has emphasised that key provisions affecting Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights must be determined via a “comprehensive Palestinian national framework” grounded in international law. This approach demands involvement of all Palestinian factions and a unanimous stance. Long-term political structure, potential reunification with the West Bank, and broader Palestinian statehood remain unresolved. Trump’s plan isolates Gaza, but Hamas insists it must remain part of the wider Palestinian cause.

Next steps

Israel has said it is preparing to implement Phase 1 of the plan, focusing on hostage release, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that any settlement must align with Israel’s security priorities, including eliminating Hamas’s military capabilities. Trump, following Hamas’s partial acceptance, called the group “ready for a lasting PEACE” and urged Israel to halt bombing so hostages could be freed safely.

Mediators such as Egypt and Qatar welcomed the opening but noted that disarmament, foreign oversight, and timelines require further resolution. A former Western diplomat told NBC News: “This may be the beginning of the end, but there is still more work to do. Hamas has not accepted key elements of the plan nor the timeframe for hostage releases. Trump’s call on Israel to halt strikes will call Hamas’ bluff over the coming days. It’s now up to Hamas. We either see hostages coming out this week or the war will restart.”

The coming days will reveal whether Hamas follows through with concrete steps or whether the unresolved gaps in Trump’s proposal trigger renewed fighting.

(With Agency Inputs)