Imagine a bold peace proposal rolled out by U.S. President Donald Trump… Hamas says hold up! A source close to the movement tells Xinhua the plan needs some serious fine-tuning before they can sign on the dotted line.
Hamas and its allied Palestinian factions have been huddling for two days. While the plan was drafted "in close cooperation with Israel," the source says it offers a few superficial positives but also carries "serious risks that undermine the core of the Palestinian cause." 😬
Here are the main tweaks Hamas is demanding:
- Clear end to hostilities: They want a total ceasefire sealed with international guarantees to prevent fresh attacks. 🕊️
- Israeli withdrawal timeline: A concrete schedule for Israel to pull out of Gaza.
- Resistance weapons: Hamas views disarming its fighters as an "existential issue." They want this point clarified, not buried in legal mumbo-jumbo.
- Prisoner swap link: Any release of Israeli captives must be tied to the withdrawal process so that Israel can’t drag its feet after getting hostages back.
- Gaza rebuilding: Reconstruction should be led by a Palestinian body, not some international council.
The source adds the current draft is "fundamentally different" from the version shown to Arab and Islamic leaders in Washington – apparently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made "major changes."
Not everyone’s convinced a quick "yes" is smart. Ramallah-based analyst Hani al-Masri warns the plan could become a cover for prolonged occupation and "turning Gaza into an international protectorate." He says it hands Israel immediate gains while Palestinians get fuzzy promises later. 🚧
So, what’s next? Hamas won’t reject the plan outright, but they’ll insist on ironclad clarifications and guarantees. Think of it as a group project where everyone wants to see the fine print before committing. 📝
Stay tuned as this story unfolds and these peace talks hopefully move from draft to reality – but only after those "substantial amendments" make the cut.
Reference(s):
Hamas says Trump's Gaza peace plan needs 'substantial amendments'
cgtn.com
