A senior Hamas official has stated the group is prepared to fight if the Gaza war resumes and firmly rejects key elements of US President Donald Trump's peace plan, including disarmament and the exile of its members, setting the stage for complex future negotiations.
In a clear statement of position, Hossam Badran, a member of Hamas's political bureau, outlined the group's core objections to the proposed peace plan. He characterized the idea of Hamas members being forced to leave Gaza as "absurd and nonsense," framing it as an unacceptable demand for Palestinians to be expelled from their own land. On the critical issue of disarmament, which the Trump administration has designated for the plan's second phase, a Hamas official was unequivocal, stating that a proposed weapons handover is "out of the question and not negotiable".
The group's defiance is coupled with a readiness to return to conflict if necessary. Badran expressed a hope to avoid renewed war but pledged that "our Palestinian people and the resistance force will undoubtedly confront and use all their capabilities to repel this aggression if this battle is imposed". This stance is rooted in a profound distrust of Israel, with senior Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya stating the group does "not trust the occupation, not even for a second".
The current negotiations occur during a tentative ceasefire, which came into effect following the announcement that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of Trump's 20-point plan. This initial phase, a significant breakthrough after two years of war, focuses on a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages held in Gaza, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
However, Hamas has opted to remain outside the formal diplomatic ceremony. Badran confirmed that the group "will not be involved" in the official signing of the peace deal in Egypt, emphasizing that their involvement has been "principally through... Qatari and Egyptian mediators". This highlights the group's preference for indirect talks and the ongoing role of international mediation.
While the ceasefire holds, the path to a lasting peace is fraught with challenges. Badran himself predicted that the "second phase of the Trump plan... contains many complexities and difficulties". The most significant of these is the disarming of Hamas, a central Israeli demand that the group has consistently rejected.
Beyond disarmament, Hamas is seeking firm guarantees to ensure Israeli compliance. Officials have stated they want "real guarantees" that the war will end permanently and not be restarted, accusing Israel of violating previous ceasefires. A key demand is for "international guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip," as well as assurances that no assassination attempts will be made against its members inside or outside the territory. A senior official also indicated that Hamas intends to link the release of Israeli captives in stages to the verified withdrawal of Israeli forces, with the final hostage release coinciding with the military's final pullout.