Palestinian Source: Accepting Trump’s Plan is a Disaster, Rejecting it is Another—Hamas Under Pressure Amid Gaza Shelling

The Hamas movement is in the third day of intensive deliberation over US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, a response taking place while other Palestinian factions reject the proposal and Israel continues its relentless shelling of Gaza City. On Tuesday, Trump gave Hamas a brief deadline of “3 or 4 days” to respond to the proposal unveiled this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hamas’s Dilemma: "Netanyahu’s Plan Voiced by Trump"

A Palestinian official familiar with Hamas’s deliberations told Reuters of the movement's difficult position: "Accepting the plan is a disaster, and rejecting it is another disaster; there are no good options." The official emphasized that the proposal is essentially "Netanyahu’s plan and was voiced by Trump," suggesting it heavily favors Israeli interests.

However, the source stressed that Hamas is keen to end the war and end the genocide, and its response will be one that "responds to and serves the supreme interests of the Palestinian people."

Plan Demands and the Pressure on Hamas:

Trump’s plan primarily demands that Hamas release all remaining hostages, relinquish its weapons, and have no future role in governing Gaza. In return, Israel is required to make only minimal concessions in the short term. Crucially, the plan does not outline a clear path for establishing a Palestinian state, a key demand not just for Hamas but for the entire Arab and Muslim world.

The plan does stipulate Israel’s eventual withdrawal from Gaza but fails to define a concrete timeline. Hamas insists on Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza for the war to end.

Three smaller armed Palestinian factions in Gaza, including two Hamas allies, have already rejected the plan, arguing that it would destroy the Palestinian cause and grant international legitimacy to Israel's control over Gaza. Despite these rejections, several world leaders have publicly endorsed Trump’s initiative.

The War Rages On in Gaza City:

Amid the political discussions, Israeli military operations continue, with the Israeli Army issuing new warnings to residents to move south and announcing that it will no longer permit returns to the north, while Gaza City faces heavy bombardment from planes and tanks.

Local health authorities reported that at least 17 people were killed across the Strip by Israeli fire on Wednesday, with most casualties concentrated in Gaza City.

Escalating Pressure and the Threat of "Permanent Displacement":

In a new, concerning development, the Israeli Army stated that, start

ing Wednesday, it will not allow residents to use the coastal road to travel from the south to the northern areas, though the road remains open for those fleeing south. This decision will prevent hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people from returning home, escalating Palestinian fears of permanent displacement. Furthermore, it is expected to exacerbate food shortages in Gaza City by barring local traders from transporting goods from the south to the north.