In a significant diplomatic effort, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are urging the militant group Hamas to respond favorably to President Trump's recent proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This development comes from two sources familiar with the negotiations, which highlight the crucial role these countries play as mediators with strong ties to Hamas.
The urgency of these discussions is underscored by the fact that Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are the primary intermediaries responsible for conveying messages between Hamas and both Israel and the United States. In the past 24 hours, top officials from these nations have engaged in two separate meetings with Hamas leaders to discuss the proposal. President Trump has set a deadline for Hamas, stating that they have three to four days to respond to his plan.
During a speech delivered to an audience of military leaders in Quantico, Virginia, Trump emphasized the stakes involved, saying, "We have one signature that we need, and that signature will pay in hell if they don't sign. I hope they sign for their own good and create something really great." U.S. and Israeli officials anticipate that Hamas will likely respond positively to the proposal, albeit with some reservations.
On the night prior to Trump's public announcement, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad were in Doha, presenting the proposal to Hamas leaders. Sources indicate that both officials urged Hamas to accept the deal, with al-Thani asserting that this was the best offer available and would not improve significantly. He expressed confidence that President Trump was genuinely committed to ending the conflict, which he believed would serve as a strong incentive for Hamas to comply.
In a follow-up meeting on Tuesday, al-Thani and Rashad reconvened with Hamas leaders, this time joined by Turkish intelligence director Ebrahim Kalin. Ahead of this critical dialogue, al-Thani stated in an interview with Al-Jazeera that he hopes all parties will view the plan constructively, highlighting the necessity for Hamas to reach a consensus with other Palestinian factions in Gaza before issuing an official response. He reiterated that the primary goal remains the cessation of hostilities in the region.
Trump's proposal reportedly offers significant concessions to Hamas, including the release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and an increase in humanitarian aid. However, it also demands considerable compromises from Hamas, including a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces and the complete disarmament of Hamas, a request that the group has previously resisted. Some adjustments made to the conditions surrounding Israel's withdrawal have sparked frustration among Arab officials, potentially complicating Hamas's acceptance of the terms.
Despite the proposal's potential, al-Thani cautioned that it is still in its early stages and requires further negotiation to translate the principles into actionable steps. President Trump, however, indicated that there is little flexibility left for additional negotiations. U.S. officials remain open to discussing specific requests for clarifications or amendments from Hamas but have made it clear that the overall framework of the plan is not subject to renegotiation.
This ongoing diplomatic engagement highlights the complexities of the situation in Gaza and the critical role of international mediators in seeking a resolution to the conflict.
