CBS: Hamas Signals Acceptance of Trump’s Gaza  Plan

Hamas and other Palestinian factions are poised to accept President Donald Trump’s ambitious 20-point ceasefire plan to end the war in Gaza, with a formal response expected to be delivered to Egyptian and Qatari mediators on Wednesday, a source close to the negotiations told CBS News today.

Unveiled alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, the proposal promises a swift ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages and numerous Palestinian prisoners, increased humanitarian aid, and a transitional Palestinian technocrat administration under an international “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump himself.

The plan, which Netanyahu publicly endorsed during the joint appearance, stipulates that all hostages, alive and deceased, be returned within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance. It also envisions former British Prime Minister Tony Blair joining the “Board of Peace,” with Israel retaining security control around Gaza’s perimeter, and Netanyahu indicating Israeli forces would stay in most of the territory until all hostages are freed.

A diplomatic source confirmed that Egyptian and Qatari officials shared the proposal with Hamas representatives.The Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the West Bank, issued a statement via its WAFA news agency supporting the plan, emphasizing its partnership with the U.S. to achieve regional peace and committing to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within a year post-war.

The PA expressed its vision for a “modern, democratic, non-militarized Palestinian state” focused on pluralism and peaceful power transitions, though Trump’s plan delays any immediate PA role in Gaza, pending reforms.Global support poured in swiftly. Leaders from Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar issued a joint statement praising Trump’s “sincere efforts” to end the war, rebuild Gaza, and prevent annexation, expressing confidence in his peace-making ability.

European Council President Antonio Costa called Netanyahu’s response “encouraging,” urging all parties to seize the moment, per BBC News. U.N. Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk welcomed any move toward a ceasefire, hostage release, and an end to the “incredible suffering” in Gaza.

Voices from Gaza reflected mixed sentiments. One man in Deir al Balah, displaced 14 times during the conflict, dismissed the plan, telling CBS News, “Trump is Israel. The U.S. is with Israel... The Arab states all conspired against us.” Another resident, desperate for peace, said, “Anything that ends the bloodshed and the fighting is good.” On delaying Palestinian statehood, he added optimistically, “That can all be solved later on. We are very optimistic in God.”

As Hamas prepares its response, the world watches to see if Trump’s plan can stop it for good, or if it’s just another chapter in a decades-long conflict.