Peace slips through fingers: Hamas factions argue over Trump plan; demands disarmament clause altered


Peace slips through fingers: Hamas factions argue over Trump plan; demands disarmament clause altered

Looks like Hamas is not going to blink at US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, as a few officials of the terror organisation want amendments to the clauses on disarmament. According to a news report from AFP, a Palestinian source close to Hamas leadership said that the group needs “two or three days at most” to respond. But, Trump earlier on Tuesday gave an ultimatum to Hamas to accept the peace plan within 3-4 days and warned of a “sad end” if rejected. “We’re going to do about three or four days. We’ll see how it is. All of the Arab countries are signed up. The Muslim countries are all signed up. Israel is all signed up,” said Trump while talking to reporters, as quoted by CNN.“We’re just waiting for Hamas, and Hamas is either going to be doing it or not, and if it’s not, it’s going to be a very sad end,” he responded to a question from CNN’s Alayna Treene. According to AFP, Hamas held talks with Turkish, Egyptian and Qatari officials in Doha on Tuesday. The source also disclosed that, “Hamas wants to amend some of the clauses such as the one on disarmament and the expulsion of Hamas and faction cadres.”Hamas leaders also want “international guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip” and promise of no assassinations inside or outside the territory, according to AFP. Another source told AFP that Hamas is split over Trump’s plans; few support unconditional approval, while others want reservations on important clauses. “So far there are two views within Hamas: the first supports unconditional approval because the important thing is to have a ceasefire guaranteed by Trump, provided that the mediators guarantee Israel’s implementation of the plan,” the source said. While others want “great reservations on important clauses,” the source told AFP. “They reject disarmament and for any Palestinian citizen to be taken away from Gaza,” the source said. “They support a conditional agreement with clarifications that take into account demands by Hamas and the resistance factions so that the occupation of the Gaza Strip is not legitimised while the resistance is criminalised,” they added.“Some factions reject the plan, but discussions are ongoing and things will become clearer soon.”Trump’s 20-point peace plan calls for a ceasefire and release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours. It also states that Hamas should disarm and Israel should gradually withdraw from Gaza.



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