Hamas is holding intensive talks with regional mediators over a US proposal to end the war in Gaza, but the group has raised objections to several clauses and is pressing for changes, sources familiar with the discussions said.
The plan was unveiled by US President Donald and endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after they met at the White House on Monday. Trump gave Hamas “three to four days” to respond.
Senior Hamas leaders met officials from Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye in Doha on Tuesday to discuss the plan and possible modifications.
The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Hamas delegation objected to provisions on Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, citing a lack of binding guarantees or a timetable. They also flagged the requirement to hand over Israeli hostages – alive or dead – within 72 hours as unrealistic given conditions on the ground.
Hamas negotiators also demanded clarity on issues of governance and weapons in Gaza. During the talks, they voiced opposition to the involvement of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom they said was not a neutral figure.
One clause in the 20-point plan calls for an interim technocratic Palestinian administration overseen by an international “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump and including Blair.
Mediators told Hamas that the council would monitor governance remotely and that Palestinians themselves would run Gaza.
Diplomatic sources said envoys from the three Arab states urged Hamas to treat the plan as a real chance to end the conflict, stressing that Washington had offered guarantees to Arab and Muslim governments over Israel’s compliance, including withdrawal commitments.
“Hamas’ leadership has promised to study the proposal with seriousness, responsibility and positivity,” sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Parallel consultations are underway within Hamas and with other Palestinian factions to try to produce a “unified Palestinian response.”
But direct meetings with some factions remain unlikely due to security concerns following assassination attempt by Israel on Hamas leaders in Doha last month, the sources said.
Islamic Jihad may send one or two officials to the Qatari capital for joint talks.
Scope for amendments
For now, Hamas is expected to respond positively but with reservations aimed at securing amendments, sources said. How Washington and Israel react remains unclear, though Arab and Muslim governments could press them to accommodate Hamas’ remarks if they do not fundamentally alter the plan.
US officials have signaled openness to limited changes but not wholesale revisions.
Hamas sources described the proposal as “unjust and biased towards Israel,” arguing it offers little to Palestinians beyond symbolic concessions. Still, they said the group will approach it constructively, noting many clauses are “vague” and lack enforceable guarantees, especially on Israel’s phased withdrawal.
The group may seek longer deadlines for hostage releases and transfers, citing difficulties in locating remains under Gaza’s rubble and coordinating movements amid Israeli bombardment. They also deemed the 72-hour timeframe “illogical” under current conditions.
At the same time, Hamas is prepared to accept Israel's release of 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life terms, which it views as a reasonable trade-off, the sources added.
