Middle East Conflict: Hamas Ready for US Peace Plan, Urges Pressure on Israel

The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has reiterated its readiness to implement the US-backed peace plan for Gaza, calling on Washington to pressure Israel to accept the proposed roadmap. This latest development centers on the second phase of the plan, which links Hamas's disarmament to a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian territories.

“

Hamas and the other factions have confirmed to the mediators their disposition (...) to move to the second phase, on condition that Israel gives its approval and begins to implement the agreement.

A Hamas official, speaking anonymously to AFP, stated that Hamas and other factions have informed mediators of their willingness to proceed with the second phase, provided Israel agrees and begins implementing the accord. The official urged the US administration to exert pressure on Israel to adhere to the agreement.

US President Donald Trump had previously praised Hamas's acceptance of disarmament within the framework of the plan, coupled with a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, Israeli concerns remain. Following a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the UN's Special Representative for Gaza, Nikolaï Mladenov, assured Israel that a withdrawal would only occur after Hamas's "complete" disarmament.

“

Hamas urges the American administration to exert pressure on Israel to force it to respect the agreement.

Despite these assurances, Netanyahu, who is campaigning for re-election in October and faces significant opposition to the deal, publicly rejected the plan. The Israeli army has vowed to continue targeting Hamas, the group responsible for the deadliest attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. While Israeli operations in Gaza appear to have decreased in intensity recently, three people were reported injured by Israeli fire on Saturday. According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, 1,257 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the October ceasefire, a figure deemed reliable by the UN. The Israeli army reported five deaths among its ranks during the same period, along with one civilian contractor.

“

Israel will only withdraw after the 'complete' disarmament of Hamas.