By Janet Ekstract, ISTANBUL – In an interview with Al Jazeera, senior Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk announced on October 3 that Hamas accepts U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire proposal for Gaza “in principle” while supporting its main framework. But Marzouk indicated that further details need to arranged through negotiations. He also told Al Jazeera that Hamas “would hand over its weapons to a future Palestinian state,” adding that Hamas “will hand over weapons to the coming Palestinian state and whoever governs Gaza will hold the weapons.” Regarding statehood for Palestine, Marzouk said for Palestinians this is a “national matter that Hamas alone cannot decide.” Marzouk reiterated that to implement Trump’s plan “detailed negotiations through mediators” are required. He said that Hamas “will enter negotiations over all issues related to the movement and its weapons.” Marzouk further clarified to Al Jazeera: “For example, all the details concerning the peacekeeping force require understandings and clarification.” The Hamas leader said “there was a national agreement to hand over Gaza’s administration to independents whose reference is the Palestinian Authority.” He also requested that the Trump administration “look positively at the future of the Palestinian people.”
Hamas had announced that it approved the release of all Israeli captives, the delivery of deceased bodies and the handover of Gaza’s administration to an independent Palestinian body in response to Trump’s ceasefire plan for Gaza. In a statement on Telegram, Hamas explained that “other issues raised in President Trump’s proposal, concerning the future of the Gaza Strip and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people are tied to a unified national position based on relevant international laws and resolutions.” Hamas said it had conducted “in-depth consultations within its leadership institutions and broad consultations with Palestinian forces and factions, as well as with mediators and friends, to reach a responsible position in dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan.” A Palestinian source told Anadolu Agency that Hamas did deliver its response to the plan through mediators and requested some clarifications on some clauses. As to the hostages, Israel estimates that out of 48 Israeli captives in Gaza, that only 20 are alive.
The White House had issued a detailed proposal on September 29 calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza followed by a comprehensive program for reconstruction and a reorganization for the enclave’s political and security situation. Trump’s plan is to turn Gaza into a weapons-free zone with a transitional governance mechanism to be overseen directly by Trump through a new international body, responsible for monitoring implementation. The plan includes the release of all Israeli captives held by Hamas within 72 hours of approval in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. The plan stipulates ending hostilities, disarming the Palestinian resistance and Israel’s gradual withdrawal from Gaza, to be governed by a technocratic authority under the supervision of an international body led by Trump.
