Palestinians React with Shock and Cautious Hope as Trump Welcomes Hamas Response to Peace Plan
People in Gaza were left stunned after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly welcomed Hamas’s response to his proposed peace plan for the war-torn territory. For many, the announcement felt almost surreal.
Social media in Gaza lit up overnight with an outpouring of reactions. Messaging apps and news feeds were flooded with questions like: “Is the war finally over?” and “Could this really be happening?” The pace of events has been so rapid that many Palestinians are struggling to process what the next steps might look like.
Hamas’s Surprising Reply
In a carefully worded statement, believed to have been shaped with input from international mediators, Hamas stopped short of rejecting Trump’s plan outright. Instead, the movement issued what many are calling a calculated and strategic “qualified yes.”
Hamas signaled its acceptance of two key elements of Trump’s 20-point proposal:
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The release of Israeli hostages under the U.S. framework.
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The handover of Gaza’s administration to an independent group of Palestinian technocrats.
However, the group remained deliberately vague on other central issues, avoiding clear commitments. Analysts and residents alike say this response was designed to shift the pressure back onto Israel to decide the next move.
Shortly after Hamas’s statement, Trump posted on social media that he believed Hamas was “ready for peace” and urged Israel to halt its military strikes on Gaza.
Hope and Doubt on the Streets of Gaza
The response has triggered mixed feelings among Palestinians. While some dared to hope that this could mark the beginning of the end of two years of devastating conflict, others feared it was too good to be true.
“I advise patience,” said Ibrahim Fares, a Gaza resident, speaking to the BBC. “Don’t get carried away with optimism. There will be long negotiations, and the devil is always in the details. Just look at Lebanon — decades later, displaced families and airstrikes are still a reality.”
On Facebook, writer Mahmoud Daher noted how unusual Hamas’s reply was in its tone. “This time it was yes without the immediate ‘but.’ They said yes to a prisoner exchange under Trump’s terms, yes to ending the war, yes to a withdrawal, and yes to handing authority to a new Palestinian body. The qualifications came later — and they even flattered Trump in the process.”
Skepticism About Hamas’s Motives
Despite the cautious optimism, many Palestinians remain deeply suspicious. Some fear Hamas may have stepped into a trap that could see Israel regain its hostages only to restart the war afterward.
Gaza-based activist Khalil Abu Shammala, a long-time critic of Hamas, expressed doubt about the movement’s sincerity. “They will call this wisdom or claim it’s putting the people first,” he said. “But the truth is, this is about Hamas’s survival. I even doubt Hamas wrote that statement themselves — it was too polished, too clever.”
For Abu Shammala and others, Hamas’s calculated acceptance is less about ending the conflict and more about securing its political foothold amid mounting pressure.
A Historic Opportunity or Another False Dawn?
Palestinians are torn between hope and fear. For many in Gaza, the idea of ending years of suffering, destruction, and uncertainty feels like a dream. Yet memories of past failed peace initiatives loom large.
The skepticism is rooted in experience. Time and again, ceasefires and agreements have collapsed, leaving behind shattered lives and a deep sense of mistrust. Critics argue that unless Israel, Hamas, and international mediators commit to enforcing every part of the plan, any promise of peace could quickly unravel.
Still, some believe this moment could represent a turning point. The fact that Hamas — known for its hardline stance — issued even a partial acceptance of a U.S. proposal is itself remarkable. It suggests that years of war, economic collapse, and political isolation may have forced the movement into a more pragmatic posture.
The Bigger Picture
For President Trump, Hamas’s response offers a chance to present himself as a dealmaker capable of brokering progress in one of the world’s most intractable conflicts. His call on Israel to halt the bombing of Gaza was seen by many as an unprecedented gesture, raising hopes that Washington could play a stronger mediating role moving forward.
But for Palestinians on the ground, Trump’s motivations matter less than the daily realities of survival. Gaza’s residents continue to face shortages of medicine, fuel, and clean water, alongside the constant fear of airstrikes. For them, peace is not a political talking point but a desperate necessity.
Waiting for Israel’s Next Move
Ultimately, the future of this peace effort rests on Israel’s response. Will the Israeli government view Hamas’s qualified acceptance as a genuine step forward, or dismiss it as a tactical maneuver? That question now dominates conversations from Gaza’s crowded streets to international diplomatic circles.
As Palestinians wait anxiously, uncertainty prevails. Is this the beginning of a new chapter, or just another fleeting moment of false hope?
For now, Gazans remain caught between relief and doubt. As one resident summed it up in a social media post: “If peace is coming, let it come quickly. We have lost too much already.”